What Causes Numbness In Left Arm Post An Injury?

Posted on Thu, 14 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Jul 2016 Answered on

Thu, 4 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi--My wife dislocated here left shoulder 10 days ago, which was put back at the ER. X-rays were negative. She's in a sling. However, she still has no feeling in her arm below the elbow and can't move her fingers. Should we be concerned? What is the chance her movement will never come back?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Brachial plexus nerve damage in the neck

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Thanks for the query.

Is there any pain in that limb?

What kind of trauma did she sustain?

Are there any movements at all in the upper limb?

It is possible that there is nerve damage that is causing the lack of movements. If it happened immediately after the trauma then Compartment syndrome and brachial plexus palsy needs to be ruled out too.

Do get a Nerve conduction study of the upper limb to look for brachial nerve plexus palsy to decide the treatment.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (7 hours later)

Thanks for your response and questions.

There is pain and bruising above the elbow. There is minimal movement above the elbow; none below

Trauma caused by a fall on hallway floor; used arm to block fall. At first, there was ability to move hand and fingers, but after 15 minutes and since then there is no movement and only occasional "pins and needles" in hand.

We'll get an EKG soon re nerve issues. Any other advice? In these cases, is permanent nerve damage likely?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nerve conduction study

Detailed Answer:
It is possible that the nerves of the upper limb that travel from the neck have been injured. A Nerve conduction study is important.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng