Burning sensation in left forearm and wrist

Hi there, I'm a 34 year old female.
I had a PM inserted sub Pec 1 month ago and for the last 3 weeks I've had a burning pain when stretching out my arm or abducting it away from my body. Could it be nerve damage? Could it be inflammation in the shoulder joint?

I have since returned to crossfit starting at 50% capacity and no lifting as yet just cardio. I am concerned this wont approve. Is it to early to start Physio?

I find that picking something up off the ground sends a shooting/burning pain down my forearm to me hand. The area between my elbow and wrist is also numb.

Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

3 Comments

Using ice and heat

by Kathy07 - 2015-01-04 06:01:48

Thank you TraceyE and Angrysparrow1 for your information.

When I say cardio I only mean running and riding the bike there has been no weightlifting or wods just tabata with those 2 exercises.

I have been to the GP and they said they don't think it's long term just inflamed possibly from the way I was positioned on the op table. Checked all my reflexes these were good, and no sign of infection or clotting.

I currently use heat and ice therapy there is no pain whilst moving it seems to be more at night time. I think with cutting the pec muscle the area is more inflamed and my recovery will be slightly longer as you explained about the nerves knitting back together.

I am seeing my cardiologist tomorrow for post op.

back off a bit

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-04 09:01:05

I'm all for toughing it out and getting back to life, but imo one month out is way too soon to get back to CF. Minimum 6 weeks before just cardio, 3 months before doing the full wod and weights. It sounds like it could be nerve, more likely you've simply been overdoing it. I'd back off and let things settle, try it again in a few weeks.

You shouldn't need physio unless it still looks like nerves in a few more weeks. Just ease back to what you were doing before. Try a bit, see how you feel, if you feel good push a little more the next time. The key is a little at a time and back off any time you don't feel good. You can walk now, take some hand weights if you want. Run when you feel up to it. I found the impact of running was too much for a good while but others feel fine running a week or two later.

Ice may help. Or sometimes a heating pad on low is better, try both and see which feels best.

Another note, as nerves heal and knit back together, they feel funky. It can be shooting pains, or sometimes a prickly feeling. That's all normal.

Do you have any swelling, hot or red areas? Those are signs it's a clot rather than nerve. Don't mess around if it that's the case, get it checked out asap.

pectoral placement

by Tracey_E - 2015-01-05 10:01:53

Mine is under the pectoral, also. It was a full 3 months before I could bend/stretch in any direction without discomfort. It's well worth it in the end, but healing takes longer.

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