What Causes Stiffness In Arm After Having Laceration On Thumb?

Posted on Sat, 6 Jun 2015

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

Sat, 6 Jun 2015 Answered on

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a laceration on the top of my right thumb extending from the first joint closest to the tip down over the second joint towards my wrist. It is deepest over the second joint and i could see white or off white when it was open. I held my hand over my head and applied pressure. The bleeding stopped and I cleaned the wound with hydrogen peroxide. I put six butterfly bandages on it and some neosporrin and that was two days ago. It is much better looking~I probably could have gotten stiches but didnt feel it was necessary but now i have a stiffness in that arm up to my arm pit that is directly related to the cut. I think i sliced some of the tendon or nicked it because i can still move the thumb in all directions and am hoping this is the tendon healing and is tight for that reason. My wound is closed now. Advice?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to consult an orthopedic surgeon.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.
I am Dr Nishad Resident orthopedic Surgeon.

I have gone through your query. Your problem can be due to irritation of nerve or infection. Median nerve irritation is the possible in this case. In case of tendon injury you wont be able to flex or extend the thumb. If nerve irritation it will subside gradually.

You should keep your thumb immobilized for 2 weeks. Better to use a splint for this. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be taken also as there is possibility of exposure of capsule of joint. In case of infection in this area spreading towards the wrist is possible also. So early antibiotic prophylaxis is good. I would prefer antibiotic like cefidinir in such case.

Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T