Hand problems after OHS?

[Jiddo]

Hi All.

My dad recently started therapy on his right hand, which was affected during his recent OHS. He is not able to bend 2 of his fingers on his right hand and has been experiencing a shooting, burning sensation in this hand, which keeps him up at night. The surgeon said the surgery did not tear any nerves but because of the stretching/position during the surgery itself, it could have affected the nerves in the hand.

By any chance, has anyone experienced anything similar? And if so, how long did it take to fully recover?

Thanks.
Jennie

 

[Philip B]

Hand Issues

Hand Issues

Others have reported issues related to nerves being pinched due to the spreading of the chest during OHS. Others have also reported problems relating to stroke isssues after OHS.

After my AVR surgery in March I had some issues with tremors in my left hand for a few weeks. My cardio doctor never clearly related the cause to nerve problems from the surgery, exercise, or medications I had been on. The tremors disappeared on their own.

At four months post-op, I still have some kind of nerve pinch which causes pain under my left shoulder blade and radiates down my arm. Massage and occasional visits with a chiropractor have helped. From what others have reported, it sounds like this kind of post-op issue is pretty common.

What kind of explanation has the doctor given for the problem?

-Philip

 

[Susan BAV]

one experience

one experience

I still get some numbness in my hands when my arms come forward, especially when I am sleeping, but early on it was when I would write or hold a book or do practically anything in a similar position; it was very annoying. I'm trying to recall if it was kind of a painful burning sensation early on and I'm just not sure now but I do think I recall something like a burning sensation. But I've had a few problems with the collar bone and ribs and such, all post-op which is four years ago now. I definitely think some of it is from nerves stretched and/or pinched and such.

 

[Marguerite53]

My wrists were weak and sore for months. I wondered if I had fought on the table and they strapped them down, but I never asked. I'm sure the nerve irritation affects us all in different ways. I got lots of tips and suggestions from doctors, physical therapists and the like. All were wonderful ideas, but in the end, time was the healer. I'm 15 months out and I'm guessing it took about 6 months to completely resolve.

Help him be patient. But, do not hesitate to look for resolution and answers....sometimes our gut instincts about things are the best thing to listen to. If he feels something is amiss, he should definitely look into it.

Good luck.

Marguerite

 

[hensylee]

in the last couple of weeks, one of our members had some testing done on her thumb because it wouldn't work after ohs and reported that testing showed it was connected with ohs. Maybe she will drop in.

 

[aussigal]

Sounds to me like there is some type of "Brachial Plexus" strain or damage which is not unheard of after an OHS. The fingers are involved would point to which nerve has been squished. Carpal Tunnel syndrome has very similar pains/aches to what you describe. You might like to "google" for some info. and tips on how to "heal" the arm. Rest and the passage of time can often help with this especially if the damage is temporary due to positioning during surgery. Ice on the most-sore area can be very effective and doesnt interfere with meds. and will aid in decreasing any inflammation. A Neurosurgeon is the specialist who is knowledgeable in this area if it continues for too long. I would give it 6 months first to see if it will recover on its own. Nerve injuries dont heal quickly.

I hope this fixes itself without too much intervention...I have long suffered with arm and hand problems due to nerves. I know this shooting pain your Dad is enduring. He might also benefit from cuddling a pillow at night to re-position his arm...ie. put a pillow under/between the bad arm and his body to create a space under the armpit which may aid in helping the nerve recover from being crushed.

 

[Lynlw]

in the last couple of weeks, one of our members had some testing done on her thumb because it wouldn't work after ohs and reported that testing showed it was connected with ohs. Maybe she will drop in.

Here you go, it was Ruth, her nerve to her thumb was damaged by the IV. http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21735

 

[Cooker]

I had no problems with my hands but I had a ton of trouble with my shoulders, mostly the right one. It was so bad that I thought that I had a rotator cuff injury.

I have had various pains that I now feel are or were related to the surgery and how the twist, pull and stretch us. The what I call residual pain was much worse than the incision etc. I really think that the surgeons should tell us more about what we can expect. There are many things people have shared here about post-op aches and pains. I think it is a little more than coincidence.

Tom

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm taking the liberty of copying the following post to the Post Surgery Forum from Ruth whose "THUMB went Numb" (sorry for the pun) following her OHS.

'AL Capshaw'
---------------

Thumb problems really were caused by OHS

History: OHS in Jan, when I came home my left thumb wouldn't bend. I had bigger things to focus on and figured it would resolve on its own, it didn't. I just finished a round of neurological testing following other doc's and such. The conclusion is damage to the anterior interosseous nerve likely caused by an IV or surgical cath which accessed the Brachial artery.

The good news is that because my index finger still bends there is hope that the nerve will regenerate. Apparently the interosseous nerve controls both.

The neurological tests were creepy and uncomfortable, they use what amounts to a taser to send electrical signals down the arm and use these accupuncture style needles to listen to electrical signals in the muscles of the arm. But, the tests were conclusive that in fact there is nerve damage about midway up my forearm, right where they stuck me for the IV's. The neurologist says he sees "about 1 per year" of cases like mine with post operative loss of finger use.

I guess I just won't become one of those folks you see texting away on their blackberries/phones with their thumbs, my left one just doesn't work any more. Oh, and it makes me more clumsy than I was before (which was already plenty), now I drop even more things. Sigh.

Nevertheless, I'm here and happy & healthy and the rest is just "line noise" as us engineers would say......

Take care all,
Ruth
__________________
Mitral Valve Repair - 1/9/07 - Right thorocotomy incision - Washington Hospital Center - Dr. Ellis, a godess among heart surgeons
Cardioversion - 3/13/07 due to post op A-Fib
Rheumatic Fever age 12 - 1971

http://home.comcast.net/~ruthjanette/orchids/

"What can be imagined, can be achieved. You must dare to dream, but it is no substitute for perseverance and hard work. And teamwork, because no one gets there alone."

 

[jim516]

Hand problems

Hand problems

Hi Jennie,
I experienced considerable numbness and weakness in my left arm and hand immediately following my AVR surgery. I questioned my surgeon about the condition and he stated that it was a pinched ulnar nerve in the left shoulder. He said that it happens fairly often during OH surgery. He said that the shoulders get bent back quite a bit when the sternum is spread sometimes putting quite a bit of pressure on that particular nerve possibly causing a temporary weakness or partial paralysis to the effected arm and hand. He said it would take about 3 months for my hand to regain its strength and be fully functional again. He was pretty much on target for the amount of time it took me to get back full use of my left hand. The 3 month recovery time seemed to drag on forever and not having full use of the left hand was a real nuisance. Tell your dad to hang in there. It takes a little time for the nerve to recover.

Jim

 

[tenndon]

My experience is very similar to Jim's. My surgeon called it ulnar neuropathy. I started to tell him about it and he interupted and told me exactly what I was going to tell him was happening. He told me to expect it to take 6 months to get better. I am 15 days away from the 6 month mark from my OHS and my left hand is getting better everyday. The tingling has about completely stopped now and the strength is just about back to normal in my left arm. And that is great since I am left-handed.

Peace of Christ,
Don

 

[VikiVix]

Hand problems

Hand problems

Wow! I was just talking about problems with my fingers on my right hand today being painful , stiff and burning and numb at times.
Once again this website has helped me learn!
At times today it felt like both arms and hands were arthritic.
I never thought that all of this could be from the surgery.
Thanks again everyone!
And especially the the person who started this site. What a blessing you are!
Viki

 

[Jiddo]

I concur with Vicki. Thanks to all for your responses. I will let my dad know that others have experienced similiar problems and that time seems to help heal this. I think this will give him some much needed encouragement.

Jennie