Numbness below elbow (slight) and numbness in index finger and thumb.
 

Hi, I just had another surgery on the right shoulder, I have had two on the left one in the past 25 years. I am not new to surgeries or pain. I had a labrum tear and the doctor and anesthesiologist pretty much insisted on nerve block instead of general anesthesia. I was never told that i would have a difficulty taking deep breaths or that that I would get the droopy eye and raspy voice until I had a panic attack as it was happening. I signed the consent and now I wish I would have never done it (I can handle pain).
The dead arm sensation freaked me out to no end but I can say now that it is the least of my worries. The sensation started to come back within several hours and of course I still needed pain meds. By 26 hours post op I still had no feeling in my right thumb and index finger. The nurse told me that it would resolve itself by the end of the day. It did not. I also realized the inside of my arm, elbow down is numb, but not completely. I called my doctor on Thanksgiving, (day 3) as he was getting out of surgery and he said he had never heard of that following the never block in the neck. He said t give it a few more days. The thumb actually is cold feeling and feels sort of deadened, but oddly painful. Which makes no sense as I keep using the word numb. To say the least, and yes pun intended it is nerve racking!! Tomorrow is day 5 and I pray to God that this is not permanent . So did I suffer nerve damage either by the nerve block or by positioning on operating table or am I crazy?
All I know is that I cannot tolerate this. Do I call my surgeon on Monday or the anesthesiologist? I am super bummed out by this. I feel I traded one thing for another if it is indeed permanent. Everything I have read says it all resolves itself, just could take weeks or months. Please, anyone with similar issue please respond. Let me add that I am 48 year old female and am in good health despite the surgeries but I can say they are from tennis. I am active and cannot I cannot handle this lasting forever.

Sincerely,

Mel

Hi,

So sorry you're having these difficulties after surgeries and nerve block attempt.

Healing does take time, and in its own time.

Nerves are slow to heal. So, be patient.

It is wintertime here in the hills. Not much recreational to do to aggravate my injuries.

You can adapt.

The rest of your body can be active. Staying fit is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of, if you're able.

Yoga is a good form or gentle stretches. It could help you in the long run.

Relaxation and breathing techniques can also help us during these stressful, anxiety-kicking times.

I would suggest you keep a diary of events, symptoms, complaints, pain scale, describing in detail, including drawing the pain pattern, telephone numbers, person(s) with whom you spoke, date of calls, and so on. It may be helpful later on.

Don't worry about typos. We can get it, or ask you to clarify.

Keep asking questions. :grouphug:

Nice to meet you!!
 

Thank you!!
 

I will be seeing my ortho doctor on Friday if the numbness does not resolve. I know things like this happen but after 4 surgeries, two on each shoulder now, I definitely would not have a nerve block again. I can take the pain. I have had 9 surgeries in the past and I can handle a lot. I rarely take pain med as I have a high tolerance to pain. I realize I signed the consent and I am not angry at anyone, I just wish I went with my gut instinct on this!! Praying to my Lord that all resolves very shortly!!

In Him,

Mel

Numbness
 

My doctor called this morning and while it s unusual or a nerve block to last this long it is not unheard of. He knew of the C-5,C-6 issues and thinks maybe while was on operating table for that length of time it may have irritated the C-6....nerve. Calling me in cortisone pack.
Let us see!!

What were the surgeries for?
What were the Symptoms & diagnosis?
Clear & specific things that showed on MRI or xrays?

Really only the past 2 surgeries and recent diagnosis with C-5/C-6 herniated disc are my issues. I took a fall one year ago and had surgery on my right shoulder to (July) shave collar bone and the ACL joint. Three weeks post op I injured the same shoulder. I went to doctor and he said all was well, that I had just hurt it and it was still tender from surgery. August comes and my neck issues flared up. I had never been diagnosed with any neck problems until August. Turns out I have herniated, bulging, whatever in C5 and C6. Keep an eye on it that is about it as it really was not flaring up badly. Went back to doctor who did the surgery again and he dismissed the horrible pain I was having in bicep and shoulder. I sought out a second opinion and after MRI we discovered I had a torn labrum. Very good chance when I injured it 3 weeks post op is when I tore labrum. Had surgery one week ago today. I had a nerve block and I know I signed the form allowing it but I had never had one. Surgery went nearly two hours (was expected to be 45 minutes). The nerve block began resolving within a few hours but I never got the feeling back in index finger nor thumb and up the inside of my arm elbow down. After everyone saying it would resolve it has not. My doctor knows of my neck issues and now believes the C6 could have been compressed during surgery!! I start prednisone walk down pack this morning. Then we go from there. So very frustrating!! Now it could be the neck messing with me. Just really down. Hey but the shoulder seems to be doing good. The burning/numbness in thumb s about all I can take.