Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

ARM CONTUSION, RADIAL NERVE

General Information

DEFINITION--Injury from a direct blow to the area over the radial nerve in the upper arm, close to the elbow. Contusions cause bleeding from ruptured small capillaries that allow blood to infiltrate nerves, muscles, tendons or other soft tissue.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED

  • Radial nerve.
  • Blood vessels, muscles, tendons, covering to bone (periosteum) and connective tissue. {58}

    SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  • Swelling at the contusion site--either superficial or deep.
  • Pain and tenderness at the elbow.
  • Shocking, tingling sensation with numbness in the wrist and hand.
  • Dropped wrist and loss of some movement in the fingers and thumb.
  • Feeling of firmness when pressure is exerted at the injury site.
  • Discoloration under the skin, beginning with redness and progressing to the characteristic "black and blue" bruise.
  • Restricted elbow activity proportional to the extent of injury.

    CAUSES

  • Direct blow to the elbow and radial nerve from a blunt object.
  • Falling on an elbow.

    RISK INCREASES WITH

  • Contact sports such as football, hockey or baseball, especially when elbows and arms are not adequately protected.
  • Medical history of any bleeding disorder such as hemophilia.
  • Poor nutrition, including vitamin deficiency.

    HOW TO PREVENT

    Wear appropriate protective gear and equipment, such as elbow pads, during competition or other athletic activity if there is risk of an elbow or radial-nerve contusion.

    WHAT TO EXPECT

    APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
  • Doctor's care unless the contusion is quite small.
  • Surgery (sometimes) to treat the contused nerve. This usually involves transferring and transplanting the nerve into muscle, where it is sutured in place.
  • Self-care for minor contusions or for serious nerve contusions during rehabilitation after surgery.
  • Physical therapy following surgery.

    DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

  • Your own observation of symptoms.
  • Medical history and physical exam by a doctor for all except minor injuries.
  • X-rays of the elbow to assess total injury to soft tissue and to rule out the possibility of underlying fracture. The total extent of injury may not be apparent for 48 to 72 hours.

    POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

  • Permanent damage to the radial nerve, leading to disability in the forearm and hand.
  • Prolonged healing time if usual activities are resumed too soon.
  • Infection if skin over the contusion is broken.

    PROBABLE OUTCOME

    Healing time varies greatly with the extent of injury and whether surgery is required or not. Healing is usually complete within 2 months, but in a few cases, symptoms never disappear.

    HOW TO TREAT

    NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

    FIRST AID

    Use instructions for R.I.C.E., the first letters of REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION. See Appendix 1 for details.

    CONTINUING CARE

  • Support the arm in a sling.
  • Wrap an elasticized bandage over a sponge- rubber donut on the injured area. Keep the area compressed for about 72 hours.
  • Continue ice massage. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of foam from the top so ice protrudes. Massage gently over the injured area in a circle about the size of a softball. Do this for 15 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day, and before workouts or competition.
  • Apply heat instead of ice when skin warmth over the injury becomes the same as for the non-injured areas. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, heat liniments or ointments, or whirlpool treatments.
  • Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decrease swelling.

    MEDICATION

  • For minor discomfort, you may use: Acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Topical liniments and ointments.
  • Your doctor may prescribe stronger medicine for pain.

    ACTIVITY

    Begin activities slowly and stop exercise as soon as pain begins. Increase activity as healing progresses.

    DIET

    Eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to promote healing.

    REHABILITATION

  • Begin daily rehabilitation exercises when supportive wrapping is no longer needed.
  • See section on rehabilitation exercises.

    CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF

  • You have symptoms of a radial-nerve contusion.
  • Any of the following occur after surgery: Increased pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding in the surgical area. Signs of infection: headache, muscle aches, dizziness, fever, or a general ill feeling. Nausea or vomiting. Constipation.
  • New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
  • Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
    read more

    Email:

    Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
    Support forums
    Help desk
    F.A.Q.
    go
    home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

    © 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved