Burning pain in right forearm near the wrist and carpal tunnel on the left

Resolved question:
I'm experiencing a burning pain in my right forearm near the wrist, only on the underside of the forearm. Only seems to happen when i stretch my arm downward to the ground of if im pulling a door open or lifting something heavy. I do have diagnosed carpul tunnel in my right wrist. Just wondering if this is just a worsening of the carpul tunnel or if its something else more dangerous...like a blood clot.

Submitted: 4 Days
Category: Family Physician-GP

Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 4 Days.

Hello,
Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.
The burning pain over the forearm near the wrist is due a Peripheral Neuropathy or in other words a nerve condition. This is less likely to be due to the carpel tunnel (as different nerve supplies the area). But it could be due to the same mechanism like small compression / locking of the nerve in the elbow.
This is nothing serious or dangerous and not a big concern as of now. (Not likely to be blood clot). You can rest the arm for a couple of weeks. Use an elbow support or bandage. Take a B complex multi vitamin. Symptoms should improve in 7-10 days. Only if the symptoms are troubling you further you will need evaluation.
PS : If you have not tested for Thyroid levels, TFT (Thyroid function test ) is recommended in view of the Carpel Tunnel.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions
Thank you

Ask Your Own Medical Question >

Patient replied :

Thank you. The pain never makes it up as far as my elbow and it started suddenly over night two days ago. Will applying a warm compress help as well? was it caused by sleeping on it wrong maybe?


Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 3 Days.

Even though the pain in not near the elbow, that particular never which supplies lower down could get slightly compressed at the elbow between muscles and ligaments. (Just like it happened in the wrist).

The symptoms will not manifest in the elbow, but lower down.

Warm compress might not help much, but you give it a try. As of now you can just keep a watch on it. Only if the symptoms stay or increase after a couple of weeks it needs evaluation.

And please do the Thyroid test done (if not done already)

Hope this helps
Thank you

Ask Your Own Medical Question >

Patient replied :

A thyroid test is a part of my 2 annual blood work. So far all is normal with my thyroid. Just strange that the pain only happens when i stretch my arm downward and when I extend my thumb...thanks for your help.


Expert:  Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy replied 2 Days.

Hello,

The relationship with stretching suggests possible compression or impingement. Glad that your thyroid levels are normal

Wish you good health

Ask Your Own Medical Question >

Users who read this, also read: