Swollen arm, elbow, wrist, hand

veeder14
veeder14 Member Posts: 274
edited January 2022 in Lymphedema

Hi I haven't had any swelling issues since surgery however I fell 4 days ago and broke my shoulder/humerous. will see orthopedics on Monday. the swelling has been moving down my arm a little bit more each day. I'm really scared about this hand swelling, its so puffy. I wonder if missing 7 lymphnodes in the arm pit is contributing to the swelling. Any one have a similar situation. Does this sound like an emergency? Keeping arm in sling.

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Comments

  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 301

    I would definitely find a lymphedema therapist to evaluate and help treat that swelling..... I'll leave it to others actually diagnosed with lymphedem to offer more feedback. Wishing you the best in healing with all you have going on!

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    You need a referral to a certified LE therapist for the swelling.

    Watch for new pain, redness, and fever. These are signs of possible cellulitis that's a bacterial infection requiring antibiotics. It's an emergency if you think you have it.

    Hope you recover quickly.


  • binney4
    binney4 Member Posts: 1,466

    Veeder14, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! There are some things you can do to reduce the swelling even today while you wait for help from the orthopedist. There are some suggestions here:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_wi...

    Also, do your best to keep your pain under control (easier said than done!) because pain signals our bodies to send lymph fluid to the site (it's a crucial part of our immune system).

    As SerenitySTAT mentions, you'll want to be alert to signs of possible cellulitis. Here's information on what to look for:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    Swelling is not unusual with a break (that's the lymph system going to work!), but a compromised lymphatic system (missing nodes) can make it hard to get the fluid back out of your arm. Do find help from a well-trained lymphedema therapist soon, as they can also help with normal post-break swelling.

    You'll sure be on my mind--do keep us posted as you're able! Gentle hugs,
    Binney

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Thank you all for responding, your support and suggestions. I was really freaked out last night. I'll update when I can.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Hi All

    I had my shoulder surgery yesterday, wow talk about pain. Some of the swelling in my arm and hands is down a lot, and with more flexibility it will get better. Apparently, I came out of anesthesia in severe pain and was given a brachial plexus nerve block on my cancer side. I hope this wasn't a mistake and cause further swelling/lymphadema.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    Oh, wow. Do you have a rehab plan?

    I'm so sorry about the pain. Try to get lots of rest.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Had OT consult this morning before discharge, have exercises to work on. rehab plan will be developed at post op app't. yes, resting.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    Good. Stay on top of the exercises. They do help.

    Hope you have a quick and full recovery.

  • minustwo
    minustwo Member Posts: 13,374

    Veeder - do be sure you are working with a certified, trained LEPT - not just the OT for surgery recovery.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Thank you Minus Two for the suggestion.

  • josieo
    josieo Member Posts: 140

    Oh my dear friend Veeder,


    So sorry about the fall on your shoulder. I fell in 2016, subsequently had breast cancer on the same side, but fortunately my shoulder healed without any threat of lymphedema. . So let me give you some words of encouragement about your recovery from surgery.

    - manage your pain medication to feel comfortable. As you begin your physical therapy you will not be as dependent on strong medicine, but use Tylenol or Aleve as you are advised. You have to control your pain to be successful in your therapy.

    - make sure your physical therapist has your x-rays so he/she can be aware of how to plan your therapy. Know that the therapist can also call the surgeon with any questions

    - follow the exercises as they are taught to you, and if there is any equipment that you need at home, like a pulley or a ball, get it, to make it easier to replicate. I set up parts of my house to do the different exercises (like a circuit) and it kept me motivated

    - take full advantage of after-exercise modalities like ice. My therapist willingly packed my shoulder with large ice packs after every session. I sat there for 10-15 minutes and when I left my shoulder felt flexible and pain free.

    - I made sure my medication schedule allowed me pain relief right after my sessions

    I know you can do this. But as everyone here suggests, get a referral to a lymphedema specialist.

    Rooting for you,

    Josi



  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Thanks JosieO

    for your input and suggestions. I was evaluated by a PT lymphadema specialist shortly after my lumpectomy healed. Although I didn't have it compression garments were ordered for flying. I will contact her office on Monday for an app't. Right now I'm very limited in trying to get the swelling down by using elevation (arm/shoulder non weight bearing for 6 weeks), and definitely can't wear compression garments. I am wearing my bike glove and its tight due to my hand looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy, not sure its doing any good.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    Veeder - I wouldn't wear the bike glove if it's too tight. It's good to see a LE therapist to see if they have ideas. It will be hard to pull on a typical compression sleeve, but there are some that use Velcro. You can do some deep breathing exercises to improve overall circulation while you elevate your arm.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Thanks SerenityStat

    I’ll put the bike glove away. I’m glad to hear that some sleeves use Velcro to close. Good idea about deep breathing. I’ve already got a my chart message to the doctor with pictures of my arm and hand requesting a referral to the LE Specialist in town

  • josieo
    josieo Member Posts: 140

    Veeder,

    Prayers for you that you will get a quick referral as well as a quick appointment.

    Does your insurance require a referral? Whether it does or not, I would call over to the lymphedema specialist, get an idea of openings, and just say that you are working with your doctor to get in. It helps if they are alerted to you, and also not as easy for your doctor to not make it a priority. This way they can get your records as well as those photos in hand quickly

    Please keep us all posted. Can’t contribute much re lymphedema, but I know there are many experienced people here who can help.

    I’ll do my best to support you with prayer, and healing thoughts.


    JosieO

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    HI JosieO

    Thank you for your support. My insurance doesn’t require a referral but the clinic does. My primary care physician agreed on sending a referral and says he is asking staff to get it written and faxed. I emailed the therapist and she remembered me from the past, and will look out for the referral.

    To any one
    Can lymphadema cause nerve pain? I wonder if this burning arm pain is from that or from the surgery repair surgery or both


  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    It could be both. Anything that pinches the nerve will cause pain. You've had a traumatic injury. You could be holding your arm in a different position that could be causing the nerve pain.

    I used to have severe sciatica. A combination of meds, postural alignment exercises, and nerve flossing fixed it.

    When do you see your OT?

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Thanks for writing back SerenitySTAT. After my postoperative appt on 10/8. Will be 6 weeks no weight bearing so not sure how much manipulation the therapist would be able to do in the beginning

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    Postural alignment exercises and nerve flossing techniques are gentle and not weight bearing, but they do require some mobility. They would also help with lymphedema. My LE therapist was OK with them when I showed her.

    You said you had some exercises to do at home. Does your nerve pain increase when you do them? For me that's a signal to pause to give the nerve time to relax.

    You mentioned burning pain. Do you monitor your temperature? Watch for warm or red areas.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    good to hear the nerve flossing, and postural alignment exercises are gentle.the ot in the hospital gave me a few stretching exercises to stretch the elbow, wrist. and to hang my arm down and do if lesto keep you shoulder from becoming frozen. Those make my arm swell some it not burn.

    Can’t identify what causes the burning, checking my temp and no fever,watching for redskinas I’ve had celluloid before, don’t want that


  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    I asked because I usually described my nerve pain as a shooting pain. The pain I had from cellulitis was a burning pain. Is the burning pain constant?

    I've injured both my shoulders when I was young, but I've never had frozen shoulder once they healed. Maybe because I like to stretch them?

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    The burning pain in my arm/hand is pretty constant. I've also now have some in my back between the shoulder blades. I have long time discs issues and I'm sure my back took a beating between scans, ambulance ride, surgery, overnight in the hospital however never have had burning before, just in my feet.

    Glad you didn't have frozen shoulder, I guess it's easier to happen with age and injury combined.

    Have a Thursday appt with LE PT. Will let everyone how that goes.

  • rah2464
    rah2464 Member Posts: 1,192

    I am thinking what you describe as burning pain may be from the lymphedema. I have it in my hand and lower arm up to elbow. The intensity varies depending on how much I have used the arm and how much I wear my garments. The pain I feel is constant, not pulsating or sharp, and I could describe it as burny or perhaps buzzy/achy. Level can be low background noise to downright achy and wanting to reach for an advil. For sure it is uncomfortable when it is flaring up. Glad you have an appt with an LE PT and hope you get some answers as well as tools to help manage.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Rah2464,

    Yes that's exactly what it is, constant burning pain not touched by Tylenol or Toradol. Even this morning when some of the puffiness in my elbow, lower arm and hand are slightly less, the pain persists. Hopefully, the pressure isn't causing permanent damage. My incision and upper arm where the surgery doesn't hurt.

  • rah2464
    rah2464 Member Posts: 1,192

    Veeder there are several videos on youtube of lymphatic massage you can try. Hopefully you can get into see a lymphedema therapist to be evaluated and to clear your system. I see one once a month because if I don't I cannot stay ahead of it.

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    I saw the Lymph therapist today for evaluation. She gave me an edema glove with finger tips sticking out, and pulled a tubigrip over and up to below my elbow for light compression. I'm wearing it and waiting for clearance from the orthopedic surgeon. Don't want to mess up the surgery. She didn't do lymphatic massage today but I'll watch videos. I only have one hand available. She showed me the sleeve that slips on and then closes with velcro but its too early for that.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    Hope what you got today helps. Be careful with the videos. You could work on areas that exclude your shoulder and arm. As you stated, you don't want to mess up the surgery.


  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    Therapist said if the glove and sleeve hurt to take it off. I think she wants to be cautious since the surgery. After 1.5 hrs my fingers were turning blue so I took off the tubigrip off my arm as it was pulling the glove, left on the glove and my fingers went back to normal and wore the glove until bedtime. The interesting thing is my hand was still puffy after removing the glove but the swelling was less at my wrist, unchanged at my elbow. Last night my arm/hand were in horrible pain from the compression.

    Tonight I decided to wear the tubigrip on my arm and leave off the glove to see if some of the puffiness at the elbow would go down, and so far its not causing additional pain. I wonder if there's any harm in just wearing the tubigrip on my arm? I sure can't wait 6 weeks to address this swelling and pain until I'm weight bearing. Good thing I have any appt with the Therapist on Monday.

    I'll probably just view the videos the therapist sent me for now.

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534

    I would be careful going without the glove. My LE first appeared in my hand. Then spread to my arm. At first I couldn't wear the sleeve without the glove or my hand would get worse. Now my hand is no longer swollen at all. I hardly ever wear my glove. My LE is only in my arm and not that noticeable.

    Maybe your LE therapist can try kinesiotape on you? I had it done a few times.

    How much mobility do you have? There's a breathing exercise you can try. Just move only within your limits.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topics/796890

  • veeder14
    veeder14 Member Posts: 274

    I can walk around so I'm mobile. will try the breathing exercises. Took off the sleeve, thanks for your advice. I'll ask about the taping on Monday.