Arm Injuries
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have numbness or tingling in your hand or arm after an injury?
See significance of numbness or tingling if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have new numbness or tingling and the skin on the injured arm looks more pale, white, or blue, or feels colder than your other arm?
Yes Are you unable to move your arm normally (not because a splint is in the way or because of pain)?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Have you had steady numbness or tingling in your arm or hand, without other symptoms, for 1 hour or longer?
Yes Is numbness or tingling getting worse?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Have you had numbness or tingling that comes and goes (intermittent) for 24 hours or longer?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC | Last Updated: August 31, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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