Orthopedist second opinion?

[sf]

So; slight mishap at work yesterday. Now I have small piece of metal (probably) stuck in my arm. Hospital wasn’t keen on removing it right away, will decide when specialists get to work today. Just looking for informed opinions at this stage.

Object entered high on the outside of the lower arm, traveled a few cms and ended up next to the bone in the upper arm.





Not really that painful now. Can use arm somewhat, hand is fine. Outside lower arm is numb. Can’t stretch my arm out completely.

My guess is that the piece like it’s positioned now isn’t the cause of restricted movement, it’a the tissue damage? What about tendons in the arena? As arm is somewhat functionable, are they most likely ok?

Obviously the composition of the object is a factor, but I’m working on that.

Inputs?

Insert token Monty reference;

[Dexter Rutecki]

<p>
Not an ortho and no recent Holiday Inn Express stays (and it&#39;s not a knee, which I&#39;ve unfortunately learned too much about) so I&#39;ll be of no help, but come on, you can&#39;t just talk about a work mishap involving a piece of metal getting lodged next to your radius/ulna and leave it at that. Well, I mean, you can, but come on.</p>
<p>
edit: as long as I&#39;m here, and bearing in mind my complete lack of qualifications to make this guess, I wouldn&#39;t be surprised if given how close that is to the joint you have some swelling/fluid in/around the joint. But obviously you should just ask the doc who saw you or whoever sees you next. Guessing those people would be able to tell you right away what&#39;s going on.</p>

[Dexter Rutecki]

Can't believe this site...my post looked fine until I edited. I'm almost regretting figuring out how to log back in after a year of being locked out.

[m2711c]

Ya gotta double click on the edit button to open a new tab. Then edit wont emoji fuck ya. And no apostrophes either. Thats an autoemoji fuck right there.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Whatever it is, it’s sitting on the bone and there’s no tendons or ligaments there. It’s also deep to the veins, arteries and nerves. Functionally it’s not a problem. It’s not near the joint.

What is it? What were you working on? How clean was the work/piece?

If it’s metal and pretty clean I’d be inclined to leave it alone, that’s not the easiest spot to get to surgically and you could wind up doing more harm than good getting it out.

[californiagrown]

have you thought about grabbing some tweezers, dipping in rubbin alchol, then holding over an open flame, and then digging around through the entry hole to grab that piece of metal and remove it? Bonus of the heated tweezer is you cauterize the wound. Dont forget the bottle of whiskey as anesthesia, and a belt to bite on. Next time you go to the hospital, swing by the MRI room while a patient is getting a scan. That should sort out whether its metal real quick.

[m2711c]

tips you can use!

[XXX-er]

I think i would leave orthopedic surgery and dental to the pro's but removing my own surgical staples was easy and less painful

[sf]

Whatever it is, it’s sitting on the bone and there’s no tendons or ligaments there. It’s also deep to the veins, arteries and nerves. Functionally it’s not a problem. It’s not near the joint.

What is it? What were you working on? How clean was the work/piece?

If it’s metal and pretty clean I’d be inclined to leave it alone, that’s not the easiest spot to get to surgically and you could wind up doing more harm than good getting it out.

Yup. That’s what the doctor recommended for the same reason. Deal with it later if it becomes a problem.

It is (probably) part of the igniter of a hand grenade. As such it should be pretty heat sterilized. I’m full of antibiotics as well.

It’s really not very painful. Not sure if that’s a good sign. Haven’t got a good answer on if it’s smart to keep using the arm to maintain mobility vs inmobilizing it.

[sf]

have you thought about grabbing some tweezers, dipping in rubbin alchol, then holding over an open flame, and then digging around through the entry hole to grab that piece of metal and remove it? Bonus of the heated tweezer is you cauterize the wound. Dont forget the bottle of whiskey as anesthesia, and a belt to bite on. Next time you go to the hospital, swing by the MRI room while a patient is getting a scan. That should sort out whether its metal real quick.

There so much freedom in those tips!

[shroom]

please check in https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/....php?p=3595212

[PB]

Was it the Holy Hand Grenade by any chance? If so, you've been blessed.

[skaredshtles]

The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch??

Tis one of the sacred relics that Brother Maynard carries with him.

[sf]

please check in https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/....php?p=3595212

Well. I probably do at least one thing a day suitable for that thread. But this incident was pretty much a case of shit happens, especially if you do stuff enough times to get used to them.
Ref. most avalanche incidents

[sf]

The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch??

Tis one of the sacred relics that Brother Maynard carries with him.

It might have been the Holy Hand Grenade of Expert Halo

[TBS]

Are you military? Trying to figure out what civilian jobs require hand grenades…
No advice on treatment.

[m2711c]

Hand grenades aren’t really required while fishing, but they can add a lot of fun to the experience.

[Full Trucker]

Hand grenades aren’t really required while fishing, but they can add a lot of fun to the experience.

I'd say that required or not depends on how good of a fisherman you are, and how much you want to catch a fish.