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What Causes Numbness And Tingling In The Fingers After A Surgery?

Posted on Mon, 22 May 2017

Question: I have shrapnel in upper arm since 1969 it cant be removed because of concerns of doing more damage. I had surgery in Nov. 2016 at VA on Ulner nerve in Elboe area supposidly to remove scarr tissue and its gotten much worse. Extreme numbness and tingling in little finger ,ring finger and palm of hand, pain in those areas as well as pain in movement of my wrist along with a dull ache in my arm especially in area that schrapnel is located. loss of strength in arm, hand and fingers.

Can problems with ulner nerve cause light headaches?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Headache can not be caused by ulnar nerve irritation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Have you had EMG test? Do you have any neck pain?
Generally ulnar nerve issues do not cause headaches. So how about considering cervical spine issues?

I`m looking forward to hearing from you.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (3 hours later)

could the surgery be causing the additional wrist,hand,fingerand arm pain by irritation of shrapnel? I didnt think ulner nerve had anything to do with headaches but wanted to ask anyway.

Had EMG nerve conduction study on arm,hand , neck. then follow up surgery 5 months ago that made everything worse.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Try steroid injection.

Detailed Answer:
Surgery is nothing more than cutting and stitching. Any cutting causes scarring. So it is very probable that the recent surgery has caused new scar tissue.
As the scar seems to be the main reason, steroid injections directly into the scar can be very helpful.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (36 minutes later)

the scar is not the problem the area in the upper arm with the schrapnel is. it bothers my hand and fingers when I touch the skin or rub lightly with my other hand, the sensation gets extreme in my hand.I have been told by two specilasts that surgery to remove the schrapnel is not an option.steroid injection at surgerical site [elbow] couldnt help could it when the hot spot is 5 inches above where the surgerical site is.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
In my opinion EMG should be repeated.

Detailed Answer:
Well, if the scar tissue is not the case, than what was the reason for recent surgery? Scharpnel is in one location causing some nerve irritation. But as you have mentioned, it has gotten much worse after 2016 scar removal surgery, havent you?
I suggest you to have EMG repeated as the situation has changed. It should distinguish if the symptoms come from the scharpnel or scar tissue, or both.
Cervical spine MRI should be done as well. Especially that you have headaches.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar