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What Causes Numbness And Tingling In Elbow And Fingers After Having Injection?

Posted on Sat, 24 Jan 2015

Question: I got a flu shot approximately three months ago. The RN made me put my hands on my hip and gave me the shot. Almost immediately I felt as if I had banged my elbow and felt tingling.. Heat .. Numbness. And pins and needles in my pinky, ring and middle finger.. I also had pain and weakness from the fingers up my arms... The pins and needles is intermittent but the numbness is still there.. The symptoms are no where near as bad as when I first received rhe shot ... But It increases with heavy lifting and extending my arms.... My shoulder and neck has since stiffened up and aches. It's been three months. Since this happened at work... It's currently being treated under workers comp ... I saw their neurologist and he did an emg and he told me there was no chronic damage and it wasn't the flu shot but that I hurt my arm the way I put it on my hip.. It doesn't make sense to me. Another doctor told me to get a second opinion. What do you think? Do you think she hit a nerve?

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Explore neck (Cervical spine)

Detailed Answer:
Dear
I am sorry for the symptoms you are suffering
I read your query and understand your consern
Unfortunately staying for a long time with your arms at a position can cause ulnar neuritis but it shouldn't bothered you for so long (three months)
The way you described your symptoms even they are increased after the shot I don't think are related
In my opinion you should check neck, cervical spine
If it is possible you should schedule a cervical MRI and it will rule out permanently any cervical discopathy which can provoke your symptoms
Anyway if the cause of your symptoms isn't cervical discopathy you can be calm because symptoms will disappear after some weeks whatever the cause is.
You can use pregabalin to dominate symptoms if they bothers you too much
Hope my answer will help you in right diagnosis and fast recovery
Wish you all the best
Stay healthy
Best regards
Dr Eris Ranxha
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Eris Ranxha (50 minutes later)

The only thing that has increased is the muscle pain .. I thought it was from babying the arm ... The nerve pain does bot reach my neck . It is just stiff with knots since the incident...

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Just wait some weeks

Detailed Answer:
Dear
In that case I think you should wait some more weeks (at least some more days ).
Pain will go away whatever the cause is
Anyway as about your consern it is really rare to damage the nerve root during shots
If is that the cause you will be fine again don't worry
Wish you all the best
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Eris Ranxha (56 minutes later)

Thank you. I just dont understand how i could have so many symptoms for three months later unless if it did hit a nerve. I am in the medical field and the positon that my arm was definetly different from the way i would give a shot. My arms are very skinny as well. So if in fact my nerve was hit.. What is the average time for that to go away ?

Answered by Dr. Eris Ranxha (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Three to six months

Detailed Answer:
Dear
the nerve can be damaged but if it is from the shot you will be soon better
Try pregabalin meantime
Recovery can go till six months
Hope I have helped you
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D