Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

Question

I'm on day 3 after my mini arm lift which was done with twilight anesthesia. I was told that after 48 hours, I could briefly remove my compression garment for a sponge bath. When I tried to take it off, I felt a very sharp nerve pinching pain on one of my elbow areas that also was a tingly, so I kept the garment on. I'm wondering if that area is infected? My garment was also unable to be closed up all the way right after the surgery (swelling and breast size maybe).

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Tokimisu,Thank you for your questions and pictures from your recent arm lift, arm reduction, or barchioplasty.  Congratulations on having undergone an arm lift!You mentioned you had a mini-arm lift. To me, this means that the arm lift incision was placed in the armpit. This is very far away from the elbow. Therefore, it is unlikely that the arm lift surgery caused elbow pain. It is more likely that the compression garment was pressing on the elbow.  Specifically, the compression garment was pressing on the funny bone or ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. This can lead to localized pain and tingling around the elbow and sometimes tingling and numbness in the ring and fifth finger. Ii is  important to notify your plastic surgeon of these symptoms. It may be best not to wear this particular compression garment.Perhaps for the time being, it may be best to get a slightly larger arm compression garment.  I would not suggest ice as there may still be some numb portions on the arm.From your picture and history, it does not appear that there is an arm infection. However, it is very important that you contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible. Just to be safe, I would continue oral antibiotics for at least one week after your arm lift.  If you have any further questions regarding an arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty, please contact my offfice. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

It is ver common to have temporary pain or tingling after an arm lift. Some nerves including the "funny bone" can be affected. It should pass over a few weeks.Close follow up with your plastic surgeon is recommended.

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

thank you for posting your question. It is hard to answer your question without a picture of the actual wound. But your description sounds more like, that one of the sensory nerve branches is being compromised, either through the pressure of your garment or it might be also related to your surgery. Most of the times this sensation will be transient, but you should contact / see your surgeon.best wishes

Marissa Tenenbaum, MD · Answer

There are lots of nerves in the arm and sometimes they can become irritated after a brachioplasty depending on whether or not liposuction was also used. A compression garment helps the healing process. If the pain worsens, continues to get sharp or burning it could be a sign of nerve damage. Maintaining close follow up with your plastic surgeon is important. Best, MMT

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Either swelling around the nerves causing compression, to tight a closure, residual anesthesia effect, nerve compression syndrome. Best to see your surgeon TODAY!

Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

Answers (5)

Answer: Nerve irritation

Answer: Nerve irritation

Answer: Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

Answer: Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

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Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

Answers (5)

Answer: Nerve irritation

Answer: Nerve irritation

Answer: Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

Answer: Tingly pain on one elbow after mini arm lift? Infection?

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Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

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