Expert: John Quackenbush DC - 10/8/2009

Question
Hello and thank you for your time, about 2 months ago while i was washing the dishes, a heavy crystal bowl fell down on my arm from a height approximately 3 feet. i got a minor bruise at the time but the pain went away after 3-4 days. now after 2 months i feel a severe pain in my arm bone which goes up to my shoulder and sometimes to my fingers. i am worried too much. please help me find out why this pain is back after 2 months while i had no symptoms during these 2 months.
i appreciate your time and answer
thanks

Answer
Dear Noushin,

Ouch that must have hurt. You would need to rule out any "bone" brusing that may have occurred. The fact that the pain went away and came may means that you should have your neck and upper back assessed for pinched nerves. These nerves exit the spine and travel down the arm to the tips of the fingers. You will need to have a chiropractic work up to determine if in fact there are any pinched nerves. Also if you were comming into my office I would x ray the part of your arm where you took the brunt of the trauma from the falling bowl.I would do this to rule out any bone infarct (Deep brusing). The bone bruising is a very serious situation because in some cases it may lead to a bone infection and you do not want to allow this possibility to worsen.

It is imperative you get to a Chiropractor or a medical Doctor and do not take no for an answer when you request an x ray of your arm where the bowl hit you!!!

Yours in health,
Dr John Q Quackenbush