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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Numbness In Left Thumb, Gets Purple, Swelling, Arm Feels Strange. Scheduled For Doppler. Necessary?

This is strange and the fourth time it's occurred in the space of less than a month. Suddenly, my left thumb gets numb, then swollen and very purple, the worst being the entire thumb from base to tip. In fact, it started again last night and generally lasts for 4 days. It's cold and hard to bend. Definitely swollen. The whole hand and arm feels funny too. I went to my GP after the first episode but she said not to worry about it - likely a broken blood vessel. This morning my good friend/neighbour, also a GP, took a look at it on the way to work and said she'll consult with her radiologist husband tonight and decide whether to send my for a Doppler. She mentioned possible blood clot.
Opionion? Thanks Dr. Siegel
From Cindy in Toronto
posted on Sat, 11 May 2013
Twitter Sat, 15 Jun 2013 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 15 Jun 2013 Last reviewed on
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello.
Thanks for writing to us.
The purple discoloration of the thumb along with the numbness is likely to be related to a vascular cause. This can only be diagnosed after a color doppler scan. Do get the scan done as advised by your physician.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. You can consult me again directly through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Regards,
Dr. Praveen Tayal
drtayal72@gmail.com
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Numbness In Left Thumb, Gets Purple, Swelling, Arm Feels Strange. Scheduled For Doppler. Necessary?

Hello. Thanks for writing to us. The purple discoloration of the thumb along with the numbness is likely to be related to a vascular cause. This can only be diagnosed after a color doppler scan. Do get the scan done as advised by your physician. I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. You can consult me again directly through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal Regards, Dr. Praveen Tayal drtayal72@gmail.com