“Pain after surgery?”
I've had a full shoulder replacement two weeks ago. When my pain medication wore off I noticed that from my elbow to my wrist, my forearm was numb and feels like my nerves were burning. Is this normal after surgery?
Male | 64 years old
8 Answers
No, reconsult with Surgeon and Consult Neurology. Start Acupuncture with Moxibustion and Consult Functional Medicine.
Dr. Arundathi Rao
Sarasota, FL
This could be normal, but it might not. Nerve impingement can cause this type of sensation. Likely the nerve that is causing this discomfort is a sensory nerve and not a motor nerve. In other words, this a nerve that is related to feeling and not moving your arm. I would notify your surgeon to ensure that he feels this is normal. If this sensation continues he may recommend a steroid pack or an evaluation with pain management. Good luck.
Dr. Kathleen Blake
Surgeon
In general, only 2 weeks out from a joint replacement surgery in a region with a large number of nerves can mean nerve irritation from normal post-surgical swelling, etc. Please call your surgeon’s office.
Simple answer is no.
Your symptoms most likely are the result of swelling in the arm. You
should speak with your surgeon.
Your symptoms most likely are the result of swelling in the arm. You
should speak with your surgeon.
Thanks for sharing your question with the FATD community. I am sorry to read about your post-operative feelings.
Sometimes the swelling from the surgery can track down the arm (from gravity) and cause feelings of numbness into the forearm. Other times nerves may have been stretched around the shoulder and lead to numbness and burning in the forearm. Warming up the arm and performing wrists and elbow motion exercises can help alleviate these feelings. Please make sure your physical therapist and surgeon know you have these forearm issues. If the nerves are swollen or stretched it may take several months for the forearm to feel more like normal.
I hope this helps. Good luck healing.
Sometimes the swelling from the surgery can track down the arm (from gravity) and cause feelings of numbness into the forearm. Other times nerves may have been stretched around the shoulder and lead to numbness and burning in the forearm. Warming up the arm and performing wrists and elbow motion exercises can help alleviate these feelings. Please make sure your physical therapist and surgeon know you have these forearm issues. If the nerves are swollen or stretched it may take several months for the forearm to feel more like normal.
I hope this helps. Good luck healing.
Hello, I am not an orthopedist, I suggest you contact your surgeon and make them await of this.
Could be temporary swelling around the nerves. If it persists beyond a month might be wise to check it out with an EMG nerve test.
Yes. Nerve probably waking up.
