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Could Tingly And Numb Shoulder Post Displaced Ribs Indicate Tissue Damage?
Hi, Last week I broke my left ribs 3-5 (mildly displaced) and punctured my lung giving me pneumothorax. The pneumothorax was 3cm. I was in ICU for 4,days and in the hospital a total of 7. I was sent home with the pneumothorax at 1 cm. obviously my ribs are still killing me! However, my concern is my left shoulder/arm. I did fall on my left side but they xrayed my elbow and there was no break. My shoulder recently (yesterday) started going numb and tingly. It s gotten worse through-out today. Could this be due to some tissue damage or maybe just because I m not using my left arm as much? I m kind of concerned as its pretty intense and noticeable. Thanks, Liz
Mon, 7 Sep 2015
With such injury and the symptoms you have explained I have come to a conclusion that at the site if trauma a nerve is damage. Cause may be pressure or direct trauma. This is domain of plastic surgeon and usually they give atleast 6 months to the nerve to repair. If the symptoms aggravate at faster rate they may reconsider intervention but hopefully it will not happen in your case. They may also get opinion of rehabilitation specialist for you. So contact a plastic surheon
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