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Suggest Treatment For Swelling In The Right Arm
Question: I have swelling on the inner side of my right arm right at elbow joint/crease and it goes a little above crease (all on the innerside) I use that arm a lot and it stays bent slightly also I prop on that elbow and it rubs a chair arm about 4 to 5 hrs a day 5 days a week (right close to the swelling). For about a week I couldn't hardly use that arm because when I gripped something it killed my elbow, now the pain is not as bad and I have full range of motion and can pick stuff up without it hurting so bad, The bone/joint on the outside of my arm is where it hurts the most, the swelling doesn't hurt. Last year I was real congested and went to the Dr. and they said my platelet level was a little high 470,000. Could this be a sign of Leukemia or lymphoma I had a lady tell me it sounded like cancer. I have no other symptoms, no weight loss at all (in fact have gained a little) no fever, no sweating, a little short of breathe but I am over weight also. Please help, this lady has scared me to death I don't sleep at night thinking I have cancer now.
Brief Answer:
Possible local inflammation of the tissues.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HealthcareMagic to post your health query.
I read your question carefully, reviewed the image and I can understand your concern.
Firstly, I want to reassure you that what you are describing does not seem like a cancer.
It looks more like a inflammation of the tendons, muscles or nerve from the repetitive movement, or the friction.
All these problem would need the same approach:
-- Avoid the possible cause of the inflammation. See if you can use some practical reassures to avoid the friction of the area there and also leaning the elbow in a hard surface (because that may compress the nerve).
-- Do continue taking the Ibuprofen (Advil) 400mg 1 tablet 3 times/day after food for next 2-3 days and apply local analgesic (eg. Diclofenac gel) 3-4 times/day. These will not only relieve the pain but also decrease the inflammation.
-- Ice/heat locally can help too.
-- If you can see a physical therapist, they may advice exercises to avoid possible loss of the range of motion of the elbow.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local -physician who can examine the elbow and manage accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Possible local inflammation of the tissues.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HealthcareMagic to post your health query.
I read your question carefully, reviewed the image and I can understand your concern.
Firstly, I want to reassure you that what you are describing does not seem like a cancer.
It looks more like a inflammation of the tendons, muscles or nerve from the repetitive movement, or the friction.
All these problem would need the same approach:
-- Avoid the possible cause of the inflammation. See if you can use some practical reassures to avoid the friction of the area there and also leaning the elbow in a hard surface (because that may compress the nerve).
-- Do continue taking the Ibuprofen (Advil) 400mg 1 tablet 3 times/day after food for next 2-3 days and apply local analgesic (eg. Diclofenac gel) 3-4 times/day. These will not only relieve the pain but also decrease the inflammation.
-- Ice/heat locally can help too.
-- If you can see a physical therapist, they may advice exercises to avoid possible loss of the range of motion of the elbow.
If worse or not better, I would recommend seeing a local -physician who can examine the elbow and manage accordingly.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
So when I had blood work done a few months ago and my platelet count was 470,000 should I be concerned about that? Thank you for re-assuring me that it does not sound like cancer, I have lost a lot of sleep worrying that I could have Lymphoma or Leukemia because of that high platelet count and now my arm swelling. THANK YOU
Brief Answer:
Those values of platelets can be normal when suffering from a common cold
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for the follow up question.
It is normal to have such changes while on the symptoms of a common cold or any other infection.
Leukemia would present with lower values of the platelets, and a lymphoma would have other changes of the blood cells. Without mentioning the important fact that you would have other systemic symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, ect.
To reassure you even more, try to repeat the complete blood count (make sure you are free of symptoms like runny nose, congestion and cough), and so you will confirm for sure that those values were just transitory.
Try doing the steps I recommended above and also rest as much as you can for at least 2 weeks.
Some practical thing that may help to reduce the friction is for example wearing something that would provide support to the surface of the arm that leans to the hard surface, or put a cushion underneath that arm, ect.
Follow up with me if you want, if it gets worse or not better in 2 weeks time. But I am sure that if you follow the advises and try to avoid the triggers of the problem, you will start seeing improvements very soon.
Hope this helps and reassures you.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Those values of platelets can be normal when suffering from a common cold
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Thank you for the follow up question.
It is normal to have such changes while on the symptoms of a common cold or any other infection.
Leukemia would present with lower values of the platelets, and a lymphoma would have other changes of the blood cells. Without mentioning the important fact that you would have other systemic symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, ect.
To reassure you even more, try to repeat the complete blood count (make sure you are free of symptoms like runny nose, congestion and cough), and so you will confirm for sure that those values were just transitory.
Try doing the steps I recommended above and also rest as much as you can for at least 2 weeks.
Some practical thing that may help to reduce the friction is for example wearing something that would provide support to the surface of the arm that leans to the hard surface, or put a cushion underneath that arm, ect.
Follow up with me if you want, if it gets worse or not better in 2 weeks time. But I am sure that if you follow the advises and try to avoid the triggers of the problem, you will start seeing improvements very soon.
Hope this helps and reassures you.
Kind regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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