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What Causes Pain And Swelling In Right Lower Arm After Fracture Treatment?

Posted on Mon, 28 Jul 2014

Question: I'm having pain and swelling in my right lower arm where I broke it back in February. There is a metal plate 8 pegs and 4 screws but the pain and swelling is on the bone area on the inner bone of my arm if my arm is positioned palm down. I have iced, anti inflammatory meds and no relief. It's been this way for a few weeks. Is it possible the plate has shifted?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know few detail about your illness

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your case and I think it can be either infection or loose implant. To confirm the diagnosis I want to suggest you some investigations.
1.X ray (fresh)
2. WBC, ESR and CRP to check if there is any infection
These test will tell us about the current problem. Please send reports of these investigations so we can plan her further management.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 minutes later)

If it was an infection wouldn't I have a fever or other symptoms? How can we see if plate has slipped? Is it common to have hardware slip like this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
infection not always causes fever

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Infection not always causes fever. Some time it can be low grade and so there is no other symptoms. Only blood test helps us in diagnosis of this.

Plate loosening can occur due to infection or if the initial fracture was a comminuted fracture (broken to multiple small pieces) or wrong technique was used. This is not very common but can occur (I have seen a few cases). We can diagnose it with X-rays.

Thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad