HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Fell From Stairs, Got Bruise Around Elbow, Shoulder Pain. Should I Consult A Doctor?

A week ago I fell down some stairs. I hit my arm just above the elbow and have a large bruise around the elbow and up my arm.I do not have much pain in the elbow but have been having some shoulder pain and some tingling in the last two fingers of that hand. The pain is not severe. I am wondering if I need to see a doctor for an xray to rule out a fracture or if I should give it a little more time to see if the symptoms resolve on their own.
Thu, 7 Mar 2013
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Dear friend, welcome and thanks for entrusting your query here at HCM!
I am Dr. Prasad Akole (Critical Care Expert- http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole) and am glad to address to your query here.

I think the pain is not severe and you can use the arm without restriction. This is unlikely to be a fracture.
But the tingling numbness in the little fingers seem to be due to ulnar nerve irritation behind the arm bone.
Are the affected fingers numb and weak?
I think this is just blunt trauma and you can wait. The bleed of the bruise gets slowly absorbed.
Take simple pain killers like paracetamol.

But if the tingling in the fingers continue, please see your doctor to rule out ulnar nerve injury.

I hope you are fully satisfied with the guidance I gave.
Hope I have answered all your questions. I would be glad to answer any further queries. Please ask for any clarifications before closing and rating this answer.

Thank you and Good luck!

I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Ulnar nerve injury


Loading Online Doctors....
Fell From Stairs, Got Bruise Around Elbow, Shoulder Pain. Should I Consult A Doctor?

Dear friend, welcome and thanks for entrusting your query here at HCM! I am Dr. Prasad Akole (Critical Care Expert- http://bit.ly/Dr-Prasad-Akole) and am glad to address to your query here. I think the pain is not severe and you can use the arm without restriction. This is unlikely to be a fracture. But the tingling numbness in the little fingers seem to be due to ulnar nerve irritation behind the arm bone. Are the affected fingers numb and weak? I think this is just blunt trauma and you can wait. The bleed of the bruise gets slowly absorbed. Take simple pain killers like paracetamol. But if the tingling in the fingers continue, please see your doctor to rule out ulnar nerve injury. I hope you are fully satisfied with the guidance I gave. Hope I have answered all your questions. I would be glad to answer any further queries. Please ask for any clarifications before closing and rating this answer. Thank you and Good luck!