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About Lauri Ordway
Expertise
I can answer your questions related to peripheral vacular disorders. This includes all arteries and veins except those inside the head and inside the heart. IE: neck (carotid), arms (carotid subclavian bypases to Thoracic Outlet) belly (aortic aneurysm & occlusive disorders, renal artery stenosis), legs (iliac, femoral, popliteal, peroneal, dorasalis pedis, posterior and anterior tibial) arteries. Aneurysm & occlusive disease, atherosclerosis, leg pain, arterial wounds and gangrene, amputation prevention. Vein disorders: Blood Clots (DVT), post-phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers. I can help with vascular wound treatments. Also, Raynauds, Buerger`s disease, Thoracic Outlet and other miscellaneous vascular disorders. I CANNOT answer questions about your heart disease, blood pressure, brain aneurysm, although I can help with questions about the arteries that go to and from those organs.

Experience
I am a nurse, I have worked for 14 years with two terrific peripheral vascular surgeons, one of them is also the inventor of very innovative wound care products and surgical instruments to make vascular surgery procedures better and faster. I wrote and manage our clinic website and field questions from patients all over the world.

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Surgery > Vascular Surgery > Previously-injured arm falls asleep frequently

Vascular Surgery - Previously-injured arm falls asleep frequently

Expert: Lauri Ordway - 10/26/2009

Question
Thanks for your earlier response to "Arms fall asleep" -- it was the clearest I've found regarding the general problem.

My case: I broke my right clavicle and scapula in a mountain-bike accident over a year ago. I had surgery to reassemble the clavicle (and later, to remove the plate and screws), plus PT. I've regained most of my range of motion, but I have persistent, mild soreness and tightness around the clavicle. The surgeon says that this is due primarily to scar tissue.

However, now I have the situation where on about 50-70% of my nights, my right arm falls asleep. It seems to happen primarily when I have had my arm 'up' (under my pillow). It's usually mild, but about a month ago I woke up with a dead-weight arm. No sensation and no motor control. I moved it and massaged it with my other arm and sensation and control did return. That has only happened once. Usually, it's sort of the 'typical' arm-asleep situation.

Should I worry about this? Can it cause more serious damage? For example, if there is a loss of blood flow, can that lead to clotting? Or if I'm pinching a nerve, can that become more serious?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Barry

Answer
hi, i am not sure about this, it is really outside my "area" bu ti have always thought thes type of symptoms can be a sign that the blodflow to the arm is impaired, maybe from the position alone.
i would suggest an ultrasound to evaluate for thoracic outlet symptom
lauri

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