Injured Elbow Leading to Severe Wrist and Finger Pain
I am a 20-year-old female, currently taking propranolol to manage anxiety and using a combined oral contraceptive. There is no possibility of pregnancy, and I reside in the UK. Yesterday around 4 PM, while I was on my way to the station and navigating a narrow pathway, a vehicle brushed against my right elbow with its wing mirror. Based on my estimation, the car was traveling at a speed of approximately 13 mph. Initially, I felt no pain; however, about ten minutes later, while sitting on the train, I began to experience a dull, throbbing ache accompanied by numbness and tingling in my right hand. As I started my desk job, the discomfort escalated over the subsequent two hours. Being right-handed and utilizing the mouse strained my arm further, intensifying the pain. Fortunately, one of my coworkers, trained in first aid, assessed the situation. He noted that there was no visible bruising or swelling, advising me to monitor how I felt the following morning. After finishing work around 9 PM, I tried to grab some food, but using my right hand triggered a sharp, burning pain that radiated through my forearm, wrist, and elbow. To alleviate the discomfort, I switched to my left hand while eating, which provided some temporary relief. As the night progressed, around 11 PM, the pain grew increasingly intense—a burning sensation in my elbow combined with sharper pains in my bicep, forearm, and wrist. My entire hand felt cold, numb, and tingly, with the ring and pinky fingers being particularly affected. I took a paracetamol and went to sleep. This morning, the pain was manageable but still uncomfortable and stiff. There was a noticeable aching sensation in my elbow, although it wasn’t severe. As I attempted to use my hand for basic tasks like brushing my hair and preparing food, the pain in my wrist and hand became increasingly bothersome, especially in my ring, pinky, and thumb fingers while typing and using my phone. Regrettably, my GP's office is fully booked today. I submitted a form to receive a callback by 6 PM tomorrow; for now, I’m just seeking guidance until I hear back. I’m concerned about how this injury might affect my work, given that it impacts my dominant hand, and every use aggravates the discomfort in my wrist, hand, and elbow. There are no signs of swelling or bruising, and I can fully extend and bend my arm. However, holding it straight brings on a dull, throbbing pain in my elbow, while bending it results in a burning sensation.
Answers (1)
9/4/2025, 2:20:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
Based on your description, it sounds like you are experiencing pain and discomfort following an elbow injury that is affecting your wrist and fingers. Your symptoms, including the numbness and burning sensations, suggest that there may be irritation or compression affecting the nerves or soft tissues in your arm.
Explanation:
When you sustained the injury from the vehicle brush, it appears that it may have caused some strain or minor trauma to the elbow joint. This can lead to conditions like tendinitis or irritation of the ulnar nerve, especially given the numbness in your ring and pinky fingers. The fact that you are experiencing pain that radiates from your elbow to your wrist and fingers indicates that the nerves in that area could be involved, possibly due to inflammation or compression.
Next Steps:
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Rest Your Arm: Avoid activities that aggravate your pain, especially using your dominant hand for work or repetitive tasks. If possible, consider taking breaks to rest your arm throughout the day.
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Warm or Cold Compress: Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth to your elbow for 15-20 minutes every few hours during the day to help reduce inflammation and numb the area. Alternatively, a warm compress can be helpful to ease stiffness after the initial inflammation has decreased (use warm compresses after the first 48 hours post-injury).
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Pain Relief: Continue using paracetamol as needed for pain management, adhering to recommended dosages. Topical pain relief gels (like those containing diclofenac) may also help relieve localized pain if available.
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Gentle Stretching and Movement: Avoid complete immobilization, but gently moving your arm within a pain-free range can help. Start with light wrist and finger movements, gradually increasing as comfort allows.
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Support Your Elbow: Consider using an elbow brace or supportive bandage to help stabilize your elbow, which can reduce strain during activities.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a diary of your symptoms for the next few days, noting any changes in pain level, new symptoms, or functional ability of your hand. This information will be helpful when you speak with your doctor.
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Follow Up: Be sure to contact your GP for a thorough evaluation, especially if symptoms worsen or do not improve within a few days. You may need further assessment such as imaging or physiotherapy.
Understanding your concerns about the impact on your work is completely valid. Taking proactive measures as outlined can help minimize discomfort and aid in your recovery. Please take care, and I wish you a swift recovery! Let me know if you need further information or support.
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