Very minor cold/numb/tingle sensation in left arm.

by Matt
(Fort Wayne, IN)

TINGLING IN ARMS AND HANDS

I will have to give you some background. I recently was cut on a piece of metal on my forearm, on the underneath side, starting about 2" above my elbow. The laceration itself is only 3" long. I had stitches and had them taken out two days ago. They were in for a total of 8 days. The wound has healed up nicely and is not/never been infected or really ever hurt.

Just yesterday I noticed my forearm, my elbow down to my fingertips have a very minor cold/numb/tingle sensation. I say minor because it's hard to tell sometimes if it's actually happening or it's in my head. It almost feels like I've been holding my arm above my head and hasn't quite fallen asleep yet. It never gets to the strong pins and needles feeling, just the sensation before that happens.

Could this be related to my laceration? It wasn't deep enough to strike a vein or artery. It honestly really didn't bleed until the stitches went it. Or do you think this is totally unrelated to my laceration and is more to do with a pinched nerve? Thanks for your input.

Hello Matt,
It certainly sounds like the nerve was damaged, either by the original injury, or by the stitches.

I think it best you go back to the doctor who treated you. This doesn't sound like a case for a chiropractor. I'm presuming you have no neck pain.

It's probably self-limiting and will heal of itself, but I'd check with your doctor if I was you.

Dr B