Problem after EMG

[marshach]

A neurologist performed an EMG on my right arm and hand 10 days ago.  The doctor inserted the needle in several places on my arm and one on my hand.  The places on my arm where she stuck the needle have not had any problems.  In fact, I can't even tell where those places were.  However, a couple of days after the test there was a small red spot on my hand where she had stuck the needle, and the spot was very sore. (I should mention the position of the needle stick was in line with my thumb, roughly midway between my thumb knuckle and my wrist.)  (Incidentally, of all the places she stuck the needle the spot on my hand was the most painful.)   I called the doctor's office, and was told the spot and soreness should go away in a couple of days.  The spot did go away, but I started having pains in a few places: Along the left side of my forefinger and its knuckle, along the right side of my thumb and back toward its knuckle, and in the fleshy part of my hand between the thumb and forefinger. Sometimes these pains occur "out of the blue" when I am do nothing with my hand (just relaxing and watching TV).  But I also noticed soreness while washing dishes.  I called the doctors office again.  The next day the doctor returned my call.  I explained the problem.  She basically said that unless there is an obvious infection (i.e., hand is red and swollen, or I see pus), then there should not be a problem, and she referred me back to the orthopedic doctor who originally referred me to the neurologist for the test. However, I know with absolute certainty that the pain I have been having in my hand since the EMG has nothing to do with the original problem for which I went to see the orthopedic doctor.  (Original problem: Briefly, when I bend my head back I get some numbness and tingling (not pain) in my hand and wrist.)  One last note: Before the doctor inserted the needles she took a alcohol dampened swap and briefly wiped several places on my arm and the spot on my hand.  When I say "briefly" I do mean briefly.  She just barely touched those spots with the swap (she seemed to be in a hurry).  She did not "rub" them thoroughly.  So, one of my concerns is that maybe the skin on my hand where she put the needle was not sufficiently cleaned and so some germ or something got under the skin.  Thoughts or suggestions?

[marshach]

The surgeon was apparently right because the pain went away after I had my neck surgery.  

[Ddoc59]

I'm curious about how this resolved. I had the same outcome and my doc says he has never seen this before and I don't get the feeling he is very interested in it. I really don't want it to get any worse.

[marshach]

Well, I saw the rheumatologist.  I cannot say he was not thorough.  He was.  He did an x-ray and ultrasound, and did blood and urine sample tests.  I knew the results of the x-ray and ultrasound immediately: normal.  When I went back for the follow-up to get the blood and urine test results he said everything is normal.  So, his explanation is this:  He said that our brains constantly receive signals from throughout our entire body, and our brain learns to ignore the normal signals/sensations, otherwise we would not be able to cope.  He thinks I am paying more attention to the sensations from my hand due to the numbness and tingling caused by the neck problem.  I have my doubts about this explanation, but I guess when I have the original problem solved (might have surgery) maybe the pain in my hand will go away as well.  Time will tell.

[marshach]

I have searched and searched Google and not been able to find any other reported instance of anyone having this same problem after an EMG.  I did find plenty of sites with the information that one of the risks of an EMG is an infection, but apparently if I had had an infection it would have been obvious.  I went to see a doctor about my original problem and asked him about the new problem while I was there.  I was very disappointed in his answer.  He seems to think the pain in my hand is related to the original problem. "10 to 1" he said.  But I just can't believe it, and as much as I respect this doctor, I'm not really sure he believes that either.  In fact, I was so incredulous that before leaving I told his PT (who was in the room during the exam) that I don't understand how the pain in my hand could be related to the original problem because the pain in my hand was local, not dependent on the position of my neck, which the numbness and tingling are.  The PT told me that probably the needle irritated the nerve and that the nerves would probably settle down.  So, I don't think that even the PT believed the pain in my hand is related to the original problem.  I somewhat suspect that because I said the pain in my hand has something to do with a test another doctor performed that the new doctor would rather not pursue it or get involved.  Maybe he thinks I am looking to lay blame on the doctor who did the EMG and hold her at fault, which is not the case.  At first, I was angry with the doctor who did the EMG, but now I really don't care how the problem started.  What's done is done.  I just want to find out what is going on with my hand and get treatment for it because the pain is distracting and interfering with my normal daily activities.  Anything that requires me to apply pressure with the thumb or index finger hurts.  Just yesterday I went to pick up an old dictionary I've had for over 20 years and I had difficulty holding it because of the pain. I think somehow I have developed arthritis in my hand along those two fingers.  Anyway, I have an appointment with a rheumatologist in a couple of days.  I am hoping he will look at the problem more closely and not dismiss it.  I'm just posting all this in case some day someone else has a similar problem they will know they are not the only one.  I will post a follow-up after my visit with the rheumatologist.

[marshach]

Thanks for the response.  I don't know what it is, but it seems to be getting worse.  Today when I went to take out the trash I had pain in my hand just from grabbing the trash bags.  I wonder if this is what arthritis feels like.

[bluebottle228]

I have also had an EMG and thankfully had no problem during or after the test- and that is how it is for the vast majority.  It is a very rare complication to get an infection but your hand does not 'appear' to be showing signs of that and you might have been feeling little unwell by now as well.  Please let me reassure you, I did not even have alcohol swab - not even briefly.  Of course the senstaion you are feeling could be more to do with the original complaint and hopefully they will get to the bottom of that real soon.  Try not to worry too much.  Take care

[marshach]

I forgot to mention that my hand appears perfectly normal.  There is no redness or swelling.