Question:

I am a Phlebotomy student. 3 weeks ago a girl drew my blood and hit a nerve. I felt a shock go through my arm. The pain has lessened. However, I still have tingling in my fingers and the palm of my hand and some occasional pain. Will this get better? I have read about how this can cause rsd.

Answer:

There have been rare cases of RSD (or more accurately, causalgia) as a result of median nerve injury during phlebotomy. The good news is that this is the exception rather than the rule. In the majority of patients who have a needle “hitting” a nerve, no RSD-like symptoms ever occur. You appear to have a good prognosis since the pain is lessening. However, early steroid (prednisone) administration as well as sympathetic blocks and occupational therapy are useful adjunct. Seeing a Pain Specialist with expertise in RSD would be helpful.

For more information:

Go to the Pain Management health topic.