What kind of doctor do I need to see???

Question

After my total, abdominal hysterectomy I came out of anesthesia wiggling my hands in the air. Nurses thought I was playing air-piano, however, I think my hands were numb as I first started having trouble with my hands going numb while still in the hospital recovering from my surgery. The numbness is in my thumb and first two fingers, mostly on my right hand, but sometimes both hands. Now, the numbness is not as common, but instead I have pain the starts in the same fingers on my right hand, runs up my arm, into my elbow and shoulder, as well as upper back/neck on the right side. Sometimes my upper back also feels numb. In addition, I cannot make a complete fist with mu right hand and I have very little strength in both my hand and arm. It is difficult doing simple thing like feeding myself and brushing my teeth. A half gallon of milk seems too heavy to pick up. On the left side the pain is in the pinky and ring finger. I can make a fist with my left hand. Also, on my left hand, there is a small, very painful knot on my inner hand just below my pinky.  When I take a warm bath both of my hands goes numb. The pain in my hands will wake me up at night. I cannot get into a neurologist until Aug. 23rd -- this appointment was made for me in late March. I don't think I can wait this long. What should I do?

katrinalafluer · Answer

Thank you, that is helpful. I will hold out for the neurologist appointment that I have for Aug. 23rd.

anuragsrivastava · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your question. Your symptoms could be suggestive of either some nerve injury or a pressure on the nerve after the hysterectomy. Another possibility in your case could be damaged the soft-tissues such as muscles or underlying skin. However, it is essential to clarify that nerve injury does not necessarily mean complete injury to the nerve and it may be either edema or some type of compression of nerve by a blood clot or scar formation. I would recommend you to see a neurologist who can evaluate the details of your case and could better determine the insight of your situation. Hope this helps.