AboutMargot RN BScN GNC Expertise Please feel free to ask anything, but the more specific you are, the easier it is for me. Please share as many details as you are comfortable doing. I do check my Emails daily Monday through Friday so you should receive an answer within 24 hours on most business days. Thanks.
Experience GERONTOLOGY (NURSING ISSUES RELATED TO THE ELDERY) I have 20 years experience working with the elderly. I would be pleased to offer any assistance I can. My areas of expertise include: Gerontology / Geriatrics, Long Term Care, Community Nursing, Palliative Care, Private Nursing Services, Intermediate / Extended Care. I also have a personal interest in Homeopathic and Eastern Medicine. If I can not answer your question I'll do my best to direct you to an appropriate resource. Thank you. Experience in the area 20 years of Long Term Care and Community Nursing, specialising in Geriatrics, Gerontology and PalliativeCare.
Education/Credentials Registered Nurse , Certified Gerontological Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Question I am a female, 30 years old. I take a boxing class twice a week. Two weeks ago today I was in class and was paired with a man. The drill was that the body size bag was between us and we would take turns throwing combos as hard as we could while the other leaned against the bag. I was hitting ver y hard that day. I felt my pinky finger aching during that class, but didn't think much of it. After the next couple of days the pinky side of my palm was very sensative. It seemed to be getting better so I continued to go to my class. It does hurt when I punch, but other than that it is not that bad. The pain this week has gotten a little worse and is running up the front and side of my arm, not so much the side of my palm anymore. I was told by my instructor just to wrap it tighter and make sure that I am punching correctly. Do you think this sounds like I could have done something more serious and shouldn't continue class for a while? I have not gone to the doctor because I know they will want x-rays and I am not thrilled about generating an expense to that extent. Please advise. Thank you!
Answer Hello Jamie and thank you for writing,
It sounds to me like you have slightly injured your ulnar nerve, a nerve which runs near the ulna bone. The ulnar nerve is the largest unprotected nerve in the human body (meaning, unprotected by muscle or bone), and the only unprotected nerve that does not serve a purely sensory function (those nerves specifically meant to perceive changes in the environment, such as nerves in the skin). This nerve is directly connected to the little finger, and the adjacent half of the ring finger, supplying the palmar side of these fingers, including both front and back of the tips, perhaps as far back as the fingernail beds.
I would advise you take an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprophen and rest your arm for a week and see if it improves. If it does no improve with rest then you should have it examined by a qualified physician to ensure there is nothing permanent.
