3 weeks ago, I had a Laminectomy on my C 4-5 for years of pain shooting down my left arm, into my index finger and thumb, with a constant burning sensations in my upper bicep. Surgery treated 99% of my former pain but when I woke from the surgery, my right hand was burning and shooting with pain. I immediately began screaming because of the pain and due to the drugs/anesthesia, I was assured that it was nothing and would go away but even though I was allowed to stay in the hospital a few extra days, highly medicated, I still remember the Drs telling me they didnt understand why my right hand was acting this way. One nurse suggested it may have been done by the IV tech, who numbed the right hand prior to inserting an IV, stating the numbing medication wouldnt have allowed me to notice her sticking a nerve in my right hand for the primary IV. Post op, the IV was moved to another location but the hand is so sensitive, simply brushing against it causes extreme pain. 3 weeks later, the pain is still there. Another nurse claimed my hand "may" have fallen during the surgery and was crushed. An Xray was done during my hospital with no broken bones or fractures but other than prescribing Neurontin, nothing else was done and I was sent home to 'see what happens'.
I called today after 3 weeks of misery. Between the recovery process of the Laminectomy, which appears to be sucessful and the fact that I traded off use of my left side to losing my right hand. I explained that I am 1 minute away from calling a lawyer or buying a gun to just get it all over with.
This has sincerely sent me into a deep depression. I cannot use my hand, period. I cannot use a fork to eat. I cannot wipe my self and washing my hands, particularly my right hand, is like sending the hand into a fire-storm from hell. Now, I use my left hand to lather then wash my right hand separately, keeping water from running on it directly, so to keep the hand from hurting. I have, even in the hospital, without the direction of the hospital staff, icing the area. I have a portable TENS unit and use it. I have not been able to go to PT, as they want me to exercise using both hands/arms to stregnthing my muscles and I cannot grasp the bars on the right hand. This defect is only limited to my hand. Not my wrist, arm or upper arm. The nurse who I spoke with today said the Dr did not do a bi-lateral laminectomy, so no one is stepping up to take the blame. I want my hand back. I have severe spinal stenosis thoughout my spine, right down to my L5 S1 and my right hand/arm, has never had any issues. It has been my dominant hand and has carried me through pain and inability to do things. I have put off any surgery to my spine because of horror stories I had heard but I wouldnt have been a horror story if my right hand hadnt been affected. Im very angry and depressed over this issue. After 26 yrs of holiday festivities, this year, we had none. I have two infant grandchildren, who probably wouldnt remember Thanksgiving or Christmas 2012, when Grandma was sick, but I do. My first holidays with my new grandchildren has been killed, along with my spirit. I would have had my holiday tree and lights up by now and I have no desire to do anything holiday related. And, I cant now either. I found this forum and thought I would rant a little and maybe get some information but Im not very educated when it comes to nerves and nerve damage. If anything, I would have expected any nerve damage to have happened at the surgical site, not on a totally unrelated body part. Are there any Physicians who view this web site? Anyone with knowledge they can share, so I can heal this hand before it becomes atrophied? I try to move it, to at least get some movement to the muscles. It hurts like hell but I dont want to lose all ability to use my hand. Suggestions are highly welcomed, please and thank you!