Re: wrong diagnosis??

In Reply to: wrong diagnosis?? posted by Di on August 04, 2003 at 18:38:16:

: My husband has recently been diagnosed as having CTS after his arm (from the elbow) down through the wrist, whole hand and all fingers went numb. This followed him trying to catch a falling heavy object. He was not sent for any x-rays, just immediately diagnosed with CTS, neither was he given or offered any treatment, and was just told to rest it. I have read all of your postings and information from other sites, and very few mention CTS going upto the elbow with complete numbness 24/7... is there any other more likely conditions that this could be? And should he be receiving treatment rather than just resting it? Thanks in advance!<<

Hi Di-

Was the blow directly to the forearm? If so, he could have bruised his median nerve in his elbow or a branch of the median nerve (anterior interosseous nerve). This is called "pronator syndrome". If he knocked his inner elbow, he could have bruised the ulnar nerve (numbness usually in pinkie and ring fingers) - this is called cubital tunnel syndrome.

All of the injuries I mentioned above - pronator syndrome, anterior interosseous nerve impingement and cubital tunnel syndrome, all cause numbness and tingling.

For pronator syndrome, it can be caused by direct trauma. Numbness and tingling usually occur "all the time" and usually not so much at night. Numbness and tingling usually come from the elbow down, vs. from the wrist down in CTS.

It is a shame the diagnosis was made so hastily without more inspection and concern for his symptoms/pain. I am not a doctor, but the immediate diagnosis sounds suspect.

Treatment for contusion usually consists of ice (in the initial stages), elevation of the arm to decrease swelling (if any), rest, and usually some kind of anti inflammatory medication. Sometimes the swelling is primarily responsible for the numbness. When it goes down, he may get some relief.

Let us know how your husband is doing. Hope he gets some relief soon.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Tanu