Injury While Cooking: A Cautionary Tale
Profile: 19 years old, female, weighing 170 pounds, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, residing in Georgia, Caucasian, currently not on any medication and with no known health issues. It truly was an incident that was not intended. I’m not experiencing suicidal thoughts; rather, I was simply preparing breakfast when I accidentally punctured my left palm. Following the mishap, I visited the emergency room where I received three stitches. The physician noted that the cut penetrated around an inch into my hand. Fortunately, there were no injuries to my tendons, and I left the hospital with a prescription for Motrin and an antibiotic to support healing. Now, three weeks have passed since the incident, and I have had the stitches removed. As expected, the swelling in my hand has persisted, and I continue to experience significant pain in my middle and index fingers. Despite this discomfort, both fingers still maintain a decent range of motion. However, I’ve noticed some areas in my fingers that feel numb, along with a small patch just below the two fingers experiencing the same sensation. Could this be indicative of nerve damage, or is it normal to still feel some numbness as the healing process continues?
Answers (1)
9/15/2025, 6:01:58 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing ongoing symptoms after a significant hand injury, which can be concerning. While some discomfort and numbness can be part of the healing process, persistent numbness and pain may warrant attention to rule out any complications, including nerve involvement.
Explanation
After a cut or injury, it's normal to experience swelling and pain as your body heals. However, numbness in the fingers, especially after a deep puncture, could indicate that nearby nerves may have been affected, even if there was no obvious damage during your initial assessment. This is because swelling can sometimes compress nerves, leading to sensations of numbness or tingling.
Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms over the next week. Are they improving, worsening, or staying the same? Note any changes in sensation or pain levels during daily activities.
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Pain Management: Continue taking Motrin as prescribed for pain relief, but avoid any heavy lifting or activities that put strain on your hand until you are more comfortable.
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Gentle Exercises: To improve circulation and flexibility, perform gentle range-of-motion exercises for your fingers several times a day. For example, try flexing and extending your fingers slowly to promote movement without overexerting yourself.
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Avoid Irritants: Protect your hand from excessive heat or cold and avoid using harsh chemicals that may cause irritation.
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Consider a Follow-Up: If the numbness or pain persists beyond a week or worsens, consider reaching back to your healthcare provider for further evaluation. They might recommend physical therapy or image testing to assess any potential nerve issues.
Always remember to reach out for help if you notice any new symptoms or if your current ones become more severe. You're doing a great job taking care of yourself after such an injury!
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