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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Pain In Arms And Fingers, Better With Movement. History Of Pain In Fingers During IV For Open Colonectomy Due To Diverticulitis. Concerning?

Four weeks ago I had an open colectomy after many bouts of diverticulitus. I had developed an abcess and blockage, so that's why the surgery. Since the surgery, beginning in the hospital during an IV in my left arm, my fingers on my left hand started hurting. Since the surgery, I am still experiencing pain in my fingers. I usually move them around and it's better. Tonight, I woke up and my arm was in a lot of pain, along with my fingers. Is this something to be alarmed about?
Thank you
posted on Wed, 31 Jul 2013
Twitter Wed, 31 Jul 2013 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 1 Aug 2013 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi and thanks for this query.

I am sorry to hear about the surgery and the pains in your arm and fingers.

During placing an IV line, a nerve can be accidentally injured. This will manifest with pain projected to the part of the body that receive this innervation. This could be what happened to you. It is no reason to get over worried as this will for sure resolve on its own over a course of a few weeks. If the pains are too much, then maybe taking some pain relief medications while offer temporal relief while the healing continues. Also, if any new worrisome symptoms should come on, then you will need to consult you doctor for further evaluation and treatment.

Hope you find this helpful and informative. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask us. I wish you well.
Dr. Ditah, MD
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Pain In Arms And Fingers, Better With Movement. History Of Pain In Fingers During IV For Open Colonectomy Due To Diverticulitis. Concerning?

Hi and thanks for this query. I am sorry to hear about the surgery and the pains in your arm and fingers. During placing an IV line, a nerve can be accidentally injured. This will manifest with pain projected to the part of the body that receive this innervation. This could be what happened to you. It is no reason to get over worried as this will for sure resolve on its own over a course of a few weeks. If the pains are too much, then maybe taking some pain relief medications while offer temporal relief while the healing continues. Also, if any new worrisome symptoms should come on, then you will need to consult you doctor for further evaluation and treatment. Hope you find this helpful and informative. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask us. I wish you well. Dr. Ditah, MD