Wrist pain after iv hand. IV-Related Wrist Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and Expert Analysis

31.08.202327.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the potential complications of IV placement in the wrist. How can long-term wrist pain after IV insertion be diagnosed and treated. What factors determine if wrist injuries are related to IV placement.

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Understanding IV-Related Wrist Injuries

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a common medical procedure used to deliver fluids, medications, and blood products directly into a patient’s bloodstream. While generally safe, IV placement can sometimes lead to complications, including wrist pain and injury. This article examines the potential causes, symptoms, and expert analysis of IV-related wrist injuries.

Common Complications from IV Placement

IV insertion can occasionally result in various complications affecting the wrist and surrounding tissues. Some of the most frequently observed issues include:

Phlebitis – inflammation of the vein
Infiltration – leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues
Extravasation – leakage of medications into surrounding tissues
Nerve injury – damage to nearby nerves
Infection – bacterial growth at the insertion site

These complications can lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, and limited range of motion in the affected wrist. In most cases, these issues resolve within a few weeks after IV removal. However, some patients report persistent symptoms lasting months or even years after the initial IV placement.

Diagnosing Wrist Pain After IV Insertion

Accurately diagnosing the cause of wrist pain following IV therapy is crucial for determining appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers may utilize various diagnostic tools and techniques, including:

Physical examination
Medical history review
Imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound)
Nerve conduction studies
Blood tests to check for infection markers

Can persistent wrist pain always be attributed to IV placement? Not necessarily. Other conditions, such as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or arthritis, may cause similar symptoms. A thorough evaluation by a medical professional is essential to determine the underlying cause of ongoing wrist pain.

Expert Analysis: Case Study of Alleged IV-Related Wrist Injury

A recent case study involving a neurology expert witness sheds light on the complexities of determining causation in alleged IV-related wrist injuries. The case involved a plaintiff who claimed long-term wrist pain and injury resulting from IV placement during a Cesarean delivery.

Key points from the expert witness’s analysis include:

No evidence of nerve injury related to IV placement was found
Phlebitis and cellulitis typically resolve within 2-4 weeks after IV removal
The plaintiff’s wrist and hand were deemed neurologically normal upon examination
Ongoing symptoms were not attributed to the IV placement during hospitalization

This expert analysis highlights the importance of thorough medical evaluation and the challenges in establishing a direct link between IV placement and long-term wrist injuries.

Treatment Options for Wrist Pain After IV Therapy

When wrist pain persists after IV removal, various treatment options may be considered depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Some common approaches include:

Rest and immobilization
Ice or heat therapy
Over-the-counter pain medications
Physical therapy exercises
Steroid injections
Antibiotics (if infection is present)
Surgery (in severe cases)

How effective are steroid injections in treating persistent wrist pain? Steroid injections can provide temporary relief for some patients, as seen in the case study where the plaintiff experienced temporary resolution of pain following injections. However, the long-term efficacy of this treatment may vary depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

Preventing IV-Related Wrist Complications

While not all complications can be prevented, healthcare providers can take steps to minimize the risk of IV-related wrist injuries. Some preventive measures include:

Proper site selection and assessment
Aseptic technique during insertion
Regular monitoring of the IV site
Prompt removal of the IV when no longer needed
Patient education on signs of complications

How often should IV sites be checked for signs of complications? Healthcare providers typically monitor IV sites at least once per shift or every 4-8 hours, depending on institutional protocols and patient factors. More frequent checks may be necessary for high-risk patients or those receiving certain medications.

Legal Considerations in IV-Related Injury Claims

When patients experience long-term wrist pain or injury following IV therapy, legal claims may arise. Key factors in these cases often include:

Establishing a causal link between IV placement and the alleged injury
Determining if the standard of care was met during IV insertion and monitoring
Assessing the extent and duration of the patient’s symptoms
Evaluating the impact of the injury on the patient’s quality of life and ability to work

Expert witnesses, such as neurologists or vascular specialists, often play a crucial role in these cases by providing professional opinions on causation and standard of care issues.

The Role of Medical Records in IV Injury Claims

Accurate and detailed medical records are essential in evaluating IV-related injury claims. Important documentation may include:

IV insertion site and time
Type and amount of fluids or medications administered
Regular assessments of the IV site
Patient reports of pain or discomfort
Timing of IV removal
Follow-up care and evaluations

How can incomplete or inconsistent medical records impact an IV injury claim? Gaps in documentation or conflicting information can make it challenging to establish a clear timeline of events and may weaken the plaintiff’s case. Conversely, thorough and consistent records can provide valuable evidence to support or refute claims of negligence or improper care.

Long-Term Prognosis for IV-Related Wrist Injuries

The long-term outlook for patients experiencing wrist pain or injury after IV therapy varies depending on the specific complication and individual factors. In many cases, symptoms resolve within weeks to months with appropriate treatment. However, some patients may experience persistent issues requiring ongoing management.

Factors that may influence the prognosis include:

The type and severity of the initial complication
Timeliness of diagnosis and treatment
Patient’s overall health and healing capacity
Presence of underlying conditions affecting the wrist or hand
Adherence to recommended treatment plans

Can IV-related wrist injuries lead to permanent disability? While rare, severe complications such as extensive nerve damage or deep tissue infections could potentially result in long-term functional impairment. However, most IV-related wrist injuries, when properly diagnosed and treated, do not typically lead to permanent disability.

Psychological Impact of Persistent Wrist Pain

Chronic pain following medical procedures can have significant psychological effects on patients. Some potential impacts include:

Anxiety about future medical treatments
Depression related to persistent pain and limited function
Reduced quality of life
Sleep disturbances
Difficulty maintaining employment or performing daily activities

How can healthcare providers address the psychological aspects of chronic wrist pain? A multidisciplinary approach involving pain management specialists, mental health professionals, and occupational therapists can help patients cope with both the physical and emotional challenges of persistent pain.

Advances in IV Technology and Safety

Ongoing research and technological advancements aim to improve the safety and efficacy of IV therapy. Some recent developments include:

Ultrasound-guided IV insertion for more accurate placement
Advanced catheter materials to reduce irritation and infection risk
Smart pumps with built-in safety features to prevent medication errors
Wearable sensors for continuous monitoring of IV sites
Virtual reality tools for training healthcare providers in IV insertion techniques

How effective are these new technologies in reducing IV-related complications? While preliminary studies show promise, more research is needed to fully evaluate the long-term impact of these innovations on patient outcomes and complication rates.

The Future of IV Therapy

As medical technology continues to advance, the future of IV therapy may involve:

Needle-free IV systems using high-pressure jets or microneedles
Implantable drug delivery devices for long-term therapy
Nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery
Artificial intelligence-assisted IV site selection and monitoring
Personalized IV formulations based on genetic profiles

These developments may help further reduce the risk of complications and improve patient comfort during IV therapy.

Patient Education and Informed Consent

Proper patient education and informed consent are crucial aspects of IV therapy. Healthcare providers should discuss the following with patients before IV insertion:

The purpose and benefits of IV therapy
Potential risks and complications
Alternative treatment options, if available
What to expect during and after the procedure
Signs and symptoms to watch for that may indicate a problem

How can improved patient education impact the incidence of IV-related complications? Well-informed patients are more likely to report early signs of problems and follow post-procedure care instructions, potentially reducing the risk of severe complications or long-term injuries.

The Importance of Patient Advocacy

Patients play a crucial role in their own care and safety during IV therapy. Some ways patients can advocate for themselves include:

Asking questions about the procedure and its necessity
Informing healthcare providers of any allergies or past reactions to IV therapy
Reporting any pain, discomfort, or unusual sensations at the IV site
Requesting a different IV site if concerned about the current placement
Seeking a second opinion if symptoms persist after IV removal

By actively participating in their care, patients can help ensure safer IV experiences and prompt identification of potential complications.

In conclusion, while IV therapy is a vital medical procedure, it can occasionally lead to wrist pain and injury. Understanding the potential causes, symptoms, and treatment options for IV-related wrist complications is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients. By combining expert analysis, advanced technology, and patient education, the medical community can work towards minimizing the risk of long-term wrist injuries associated with IV placement.

Neurology expert witness advises on claims that IV placement caused long-term wrist injury

A neurology expert witness advises on mother’s claims that an IV placed during Cesarean delivery caused long-term wrist injury. Plaintiff was admitted to defendant hospital for a scheduled Cesarean delivery. Early in the morning of the delivery, an IV was placed in plaintiff’s left wrist on the first attempt. She delivered a healthy baby. Plaintiff was prescribed Venofer to treat anemia due to blood loss during delivery. She received the medication via IV twice over the next two days. She did not report any pain, and the nursing staff recorded no problems. The IV was removed a few hours before her discharge on the third day.

Plaintiff alleges she began to have symptoms of pain and burning at the IV site after the first administration of Venofer. Approximately two days after her discharge, she said she noticed pus in the area where the IV had been. She reported no problems at her two-week postpartum visit or a month later on another follow-up. Three months after delivery, she mentioned pain in her left wrist at a doctor visit.

Another four months later, plaintiff’s medical providers attributed her wrist symptoms to possible phlebitis or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. She received steroid injections to her left wrist, which temporarily resolved her pain. She never returned for any follow-up evaluation of her left wrist or hand.

Plaintiff filed suit against the hospital, alleging that she suffers ongoing injuries relating to placement of the IV line.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

Are plaintiff’s alleged injuries a result of placement of her IV?

Expert Witness Response

Based on my review of the medical records and deposition transcripts, my personal interview and examination of plaintiff and my knowledge, skill, education, training and experience, it is my opinion that there is no evidence that plaintiff’s present complaints of left wrist and hand symptoms are related to the care and treatment she received during her stay at defendant hospital. Phlebitis or cellulitis at an IV site are temporary conditions which are known to resolve within two to four weeks after an IV is discontinued. Plaintiff showed no signs of having either of these conditions when I personally examined her. It is my opinion that plaintiff’s left wrist and hand are neurologically normal. There is no evidence that plaintiff sustained any type of nerve injury to her left wrist or hand relating to the IV placed during her hospitalization, including a neuropathy. Plaintiff’s report of ongoing symptoms in her left wrist and hand, including pain, swelling, and cramping, are not related to the IV which was placed during her hospitalization. Further, it is not possible for plaintiff’s wrist and hand symptoms to have resulted from the IV placed during her hospitalization.

The expert is a physician specializing in neurology for nearly 40 years. He is an adjunct professor of a university medical center and has conducted extensive research and authored numerous publications in the area of neurology.

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Vein Is Hard After Iv – I Had A Iv On My Wrist About 2 Weeks

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Bone and Muscle

Vein is hard after IV

Asked for Male, 23 Years

I had a IV on my wrist about 2 weeks ago. The vein was paining a little and got hard near the wrist. I waited hoping it would heel. Now I feel some bumps in the vein. What type of doctor should I consult?

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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Bone and Muscle

causes, treatment of pain in the wrists of the right, left hand

The wrist is responsible for many movements in the hand and takes on power loads, so this area is especially vulnerable. The sooner the cause of the pain is identified and the correct measures are taken, the more likely it is to maintain mobility in the wrist.

Pain in the wrist is often caused by various inflammations of the tendons or nerves. For example, pain along the inflamed nerve may be reflected here if the cervical spine is damaged. But these reflected pains necessarily spread along the arm and above and below the wrist. But local pains only in the wrist joint itself, especially those accompanied by its deformity, stiffness or swelling, are usually caused by either arthrosis of the wrist joint (up to 20% of cases) or arthritis.

Arthrosis and arthritis

Basically, arthrosis of the wrist joint is post-traumatic, that is, it develops as a complication after a dislocation or fracture of the bones of the wrist. For osteoarthritis of the wrist joint, symptoms such as a crunch in the joint during movement and pain that occur only with certain movements or when trying to bend and unbend the joint to the maximum, “to the stop” are characteristic. At rest, without movement, pain appears only if a person has overloaded the diseased joint a few hours earlier.

The mobility of the wrist joint in arthrosis is always reduced by 30-50%. But the appearance of the wrist joint affected by arthrosis remains practically unchanged – from the outside it looks almost healthy. Severe deformities of the wrist joint with arthrosis occur only when the disease was provoked by a fracture of the bones of the wrist with their displacement.

We must remember that the wrist joint is one of the “favorite places” of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. And it is important not to confuse arthrosis of the wrist joint with this serious disease. Fortunately, distinguishing arthrosis from arthritis is usually quite simple. With arthritis, unlike arthrosis, pain is most often more pronounced at rest, late at night or in the morning. On the contrary, the pain often decreases with movement. In the afternoon, especially in the evening, the arthritic pains almost always subside completely.

The appearance of the wrist joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis, as a rule, changes significantly: there is either pronounced edema and “swelling” of the wrist joint, or a “dip zone” in the area of this joint with atrophy of its muscles.

It is also characteristic that in arthritis only the wrist joints are affected extremely rarely – any arthritis most often leads to inflammation of several joints at once; in contrast, arthrosis of the wrist joint is an isolated post-traumatic pathology, usually affecting a single injured wrist joint.

Wrist pain caused by arthrosis or arthritis is usually treated with kinesiology, massage, reflexology, shock wave therapy, millimeter wave therapy, magneto-laser therapy and mud therapy.

Other causes

Most often, pain in the wrists is the result of injuries (fractures, dislocations, sprains). A fall on the arm or a direct blow to the wrist can lead to a fracture or dislocation of the bones, and sprains. In all cases, they will be disturbed by: acute pain in the carpal joint, limited mobility, swelling of the wrist.

Pain in the wrists due to regular force exertion on the arm, such as sudden grips, twisting of the wrist, as occurs when playing golf, tennis or rowing. As a result of such loads, tendonitis most often occurs. These diseases are more common than others due to the anatomical narrowness of the sheaths through which the tendons of the wrist pass. A slight irritation of these tendons is enough for seals to occur in them.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (abbr. CTS) is the name of the disease that most often worries pregnant women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The main reason for the occurrence of SZK lies in the increasing body weight of a woman and edema, especially pronounced in the second half of pregnancy.

Daily work at the computer, typing on the keyboard and operating a computer mouse, lead to regular monotonous loads on the same muscles, the wrist is in constant tension. This activity leads to swelling of the tendons that run next to the nerve, and sometimes leads to swelling of the nerve itself. Wrist pain appears more in the right hand in right-handers. Worried about constant discomfort in the carpal joint, weakening of grip strength, numbness of the hands, especially the palms. This disease is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Prevention

The following tips will help you prevent injury and pain in your wrists:

do exercises regularly to strengthen your wrist muscles;
when the first symptoms of discomfort in the wrists appear, stop or modify the physical activity on them;
grasp objects with the whole hand, grasping only with fingers hurts the wrist;
when working with vibrating tools, use special gloves that support the hand, and use vibration-absorbing pads;
wear wrist guards when playing sports;
every hour of work at the computer, take 5-, 10-minute breaks, squat, stretch your fingers and shake your hands; wear comfortable, stable shoes to prevent falls,
refrain from lifting heavy objects – it is better to return several times to transfer the load in parts.

Do not self-medicate for wrist pain without a doctor’s prescription!

Wrist pain may be a symptom of the following conditions:

Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis, gouty
Arthrosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Gout
Polyarthritis
Post-traumatic polyarthritis
Polyarthritis, rheumatoid
Tendinitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome

Treatment reviews

Many thanks to Sergey Ivanovich Pronkin for the excellent results of treatment, attentive and friendly attitude, enlightening conversations during treatment and explanation of the causes of pain in the joints. High level professional! Special thanks to the friendly team of administrators for their efficient work and attention!

Alla Borisovna Pavlenko, 70 years old
All patient reviews

Pain in the hand: diseases, causes, symptoms, treatment

Any pain is excruciating and requires response. However, pain in the wrists is also unpleasant because it entails a limitation of the mobility of the hand and the inability to perform simple movements. It happens that the patient finds it difficult to fasten a button or take a cup of tea from the table.

What can cause pain in the hands when flexing? How to distinguish the cause of pain by symptoms? What can help when your wrist hurts? You will learn the answers to these and other questions by reading this article.

The specialists of our clinic deal with such problems. Yes We can help you with physical therapy!

Types of pain in the hands

If we talk about the classification, then all pain in the wrists can be divided into 2 types depending on the duration:

intermittent pain in the hands,
constant pain in the hands.

Periodic pain is more severe and occurs when you try to turn the hand, squeeze your fingers or make another movement in the wrist joint. As a rule, such pain indicates a recent injury, sprain or dislocation of the joint.

Constant pain , in turn, is slightly less intense, but haunts a person for a long time. Sometimes the pain is so debilitating that a patient with arthritis may get out of bed at night to take painkillers.

Causes of pain in the hands

In everyday life, there are many ways to damage the joint of the hand. First of all, long-term monotonous work has an extremely negative effect on the state of this joint, so programmers, testers and other IT workers are at risk.

Similar pains often haunt athletes: tennis players, golfers and people who are professionally engaged in rowing. When performing sudden movements in the hand – such as gripping or bending the wrists – the load on the ligamentous apparatus can become excessive and lead to injury to the ligaments. From such regular microdamages, a disease called tendonitis develops – inflammation of the tendons.

No less important in the etiology of diseases of the hand is that when a person falls, he reflexively puts his hands forward, which means that he unconsciously puts his hand and wrist at risk. Injury to the wrist joint is accompanied by a characteristic symptom: sharp severe pain, swelling, redness and impaired mobility of the joint. If, after an injury, a deformation of the hand in the wrist area is visually noticeable, then an X-ray examination is mandatory to exclude a fracture of the scaphoid and lunate bones. This is important because an undiagnosed wrist fracture can lead to complete loss of hand mobility.

Pain in the wrists can be symptoms of the following diseases:

Sprain, sprain,
Fracture of the bones of the hand or wrist,
Arthritis or arthrosis,
Carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome),
Deforming osteoarthritis of the joints of the hand,
Neurological causes.

Which doctors should I see if I have a sore wrist?

The examination should begin with a visit to an orthopedic traumatologist. As a rule, most of the possible causes of pain in the hands are in his area of responsibility. And if necessary, the doctor will give you a referral to a doctor of another specialty.

Methods of diagnosis and treatment

During the initial visit, the doctor needs to find out the anamnesis of life, find out your concomitant chronic diseases (diseases of the cardiovascular system, arthritis and arthrosis of other joints, osteochondrosis). The doctor will be interested in when the problem started, what you associate it with, whether there were bumps or falls.

The doctor will then perform an external examination of the joint and diagnostic tests, such as passive flexion and extension of the joint, palpation and tapping along the nerve.

An important research method is radiography. It allows you to judge the integrity of the bones, helps to identify their displacement and deformation. According to the indications, an analysis of the synovial (articular) fluid obtained by puncture of the joint can be performed.

CBCT visualizes the state of bone structures in detail – at a higher level, allows you to determine bone density and its defects. And MRI visualizes soft tissues – ligaments, tendons, joint capsule. A competent specialist will prescribe the necessary types of diagnostic measures and recommend a consultation with a doctor of another specialty, if necessary.

Treatment of pain in the hands

Regardless of the cause, the treatment of diseases of the wrist joint should be comprehensive and aimed at solving three problems at once:

elimination of pain symptoms;
therapy for the causative disease;
restoration of functional mobility.

Pain syndrome is relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers (analgesics). They should be prescribed by the doctor of our clinic, taking into account your disease and related problems.

The doctor also prescribes treatment for the underlying cause. If it is a dislocation or a fracture, immobilization of the joint is necessary, fixing it in a fixed position. Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and other diseases associated with nerves should be carried out by a neurologist. Osteoarthritis and arthritis should also be coordinated with other specialists. Physiotherapy plays a huge role in facilitating the treatment and restoration of the joint.

An integrated approach to treatment – gives the most effective result. This is the approach we offer to patients of the 401 Clinic.

Therapeutic massage normalizes local blood circulation, improves tissue nutrition and oxygen saturation, and improves muscle tone. Massage is a preparatory measure for physical therapy itself, aimed at mobilizing the joint, improving its mobility.

In addition to massage, other physiotherapeutic procedures will help restore blood flow and metabolism – paraffin therapy, therapeutic mud, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis.

Shock wave therapy shows good results. In some cases, its timely use allows avoiding surgical treatment and preventing exacerbation of the disease.

To restore a joint after a dislocation or fracture, physiotherapy exercises, gymnastics and mechanotherapy are recommended.

Adhering to an integrated approach and responsibly following the recommendations of doctors, you can achieve excellent results and get rid of pain in the hands.

Treatment of pain in the hands in Minsk

Prevention of pain in the hands

If discomfort occurs in the hand, it is necessary to change the type of load or give the joint a rest, stretch it.
When gripping, distribute the load on the hand evenly: do not grab with just your fingers, use your palm too.
Position your hands comfortably, choose a comfortable posture, and use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse when working at a computer.