Pain and weird ulnar mobility after breaking fall with hand

[flower2008]

Hey folks,

Well I had a nice experience tonight... my grandma asked me to work on her for the first time. She fell three months ago, and of course put her hand out in front of her to break her fall. Since then she's had pain mainly in the proximal phalanges, she gestured across the top (non-palmar) side.

I did some myofascial and trigger point work, but that's a different post... this post is about her ulna on that side, which moves in a way the other one doesn't. In fact, in a way that I've never felt.

To demonstrate: position your right hand over your left... right thumb on the styloid process of the left ulna, right thenar eminence resting on the left metacarpals, right fingers wrapping around to contact the left palm.

Squeeze your right palm and fingers toward each other just strongly enough to provide a stable base/leverage, then use your thumb to push down on your left ulna's styloid process.

Doesn't move much... right?

Her ulna on this arm moves! At least a quarter of an inch. Doesn't hurt, but it makes a kind of scraping feeling under my fingers. The word that comes to mind is "gristle".

Any idea what this could be about? What kind of doctor or other professional should she go see?

 

[Pleccy]

It sounds dislocated to me, even though she may not be having any pain with it. I wouldn't be surprised if the ligaments were over stretched, too, accounting for some lack of pain. I would send her to a chiropractor, most of them will xray before working for the first time. They will adjust more than the back, many adjust the limbs also.
Hope this helps.

 

[Niicole]

I agree, it sounds dislocated. A chriopractor may be a good choice, but an Osteopath may be better. As long as she gets an x-ray first. Odd how it is not producing any pain at that area.

 

[rockylad_75]

Chiropractor, Osteopath, or a good Physical Therapist that specializes in hand/wrist/orthopedic work. Could be dislocated, but could have soft tissue damage that needs repair.

Just curious - did she say what position her hand was in when she landed on it? Fingers straight, turned in, turned out? Was her arm straight or bent? I have a personal interest in fall-related injuries, and would appreciate any details you can share on her fall and what you more is learned about her injury.

Thanks and good luck!

 

[brighteyes76a]

So she has an appointment with her orthopedic doctor in December, and she is going to ask him about it. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to do an x-ray after palpating it. I'll let you folks know what I find out.

As far as the impact, I believe her hand was open, wrist probably extended, in the manner of breaking a fall. She impacted other areas as well, and doesn't remember if her elbow was locked or bent.

 

[Mizz G]

Thanks for the update! Glad she's seeing the doc!