Wrist/Arm Injury

[BobbyS]

Several weeks ago I hurt my wrist and my shoulder. I felt a snap in my wrist, and was sure it had broken. A week later, I fell on the ice, and landed on that same hand, extended-aggravating the pain and swelling. The xrays showed no break in my wrist (that was all he ordered xrays for), but the swelling has not stopped, and it has been five weeks now.

My Dr instructed immobilization of my wrist for a few weeks, but the pain in my shoulder has not subsided at all, and now my elbow is swelling up as well with pain. My wrist does not seem to be improving, although he did say that would take a few more weeks before the pain and swelling would stop-he believes that is tendonitis in my wrist? I am also having nerve pain through my entire arm at various times-from fingers to neck. I have tried ice, anti-inflammatories, prescribed topical gels that are supposed to reduce inflammation-nothing seems to be helping. I cannot even hold a pen to write without severe pain, does that seem as if it should still be that bad?

[Heidi]

Hi
I think tendonitis in your wrist is unlikely as it came from a definate incident and with extensive swelling. It is more likely to be a tear to a tendon or ligament in the wrist. Unfortunately however the same treatment applies, rest, ice, compression and then strengthening once pain free.
As for the shoulder, you haven't said much about it other than the "nerve pain" throughout the arm. Is this the only symptom?
You should get this checked out again (possibly by a physical therapist etc) who can test the neck and shoulder as any number of injuries could cause referred pain into the arm.

[BobbyS]

Hi,

The shoulder pain has been steady and consistently sore since my initial injury 5 weeks ago. When I lift my arm, or try to move it, it feels like I got hit with a baseball bat. Its hard to describe, not stabbing pain, but not a dull ache either. Its towards the front of my shoulder (where the pain is the worst), and goes around to the outside of the shoulder. It doesn't hurt around to the back of my shoulder though. The pain in my shoulder wasn't as bad as my wrist initially, so I did not push it when the Dr did not feel any tests were necessary for that. But now that the pain there isn't improving either, I am getting concerned. And when I started having swelling in my elbow the other day-which was completely new-I really got concerned.

Should I wait until the pain and swelling is under control before considering any physical therapy? Or is it ok to start while still having trouble like this? I feel like a second opinion may be warranted, and I definately want to get my shoulder checked out first. I don't want to start any therapy until I know for sure what I'm dealing with.

[Heidi]

Hi
Yes physical therapy would be fine at this point. They can asses the neck/shoulder/arm and wrist to try to determine the cause of your problems and give you that second opinion, as well as treatment which is suitable for this stage of injury.