Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/31/2009

Question
I had surgery to repair a tendon in my ankle a few days ago.  After surgery I've had a numbness and tingling in my thumb, index, and middle finger.  (mostly near the tips)  I was under GA for the ankle surgery.  My surgeon said it would likely work itself out in 48 hours or so.  It's been a bit longer than that now and I'm wondering if you've heard of this type of finger numberness under GA from positioning or from the anesthetic. Thanks in Advance.

Answer
Hi Fred
It does sound like you have a had a bit of pressure on some of your nerves during this operation and this is causing your symptoms. You mention ankle surgery but not which tendon was repaired. If it was your Achilles then it is likely you would have been placed face down after you were asleep and that your arms were positioned forwards at each side of your head. This can put a lot of stretch on the nerves in your shoulders (the brachial plexus) if not managed carefully.
If this does not settle quickly get back to your surgeon and let them know. It is important that people get feedback when this happens so we can try and stop it happening to others.
Finally it is important to say that you might not have been in this position and I have guessed wrong at the op you had and the position you were in. If this is the case then I would need to know what position you were actrually positioned in to try and work out what might have happened.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson