Does "extreme" cold affect nerve sensitivity? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jimellow · 10-01-2005, 05:31 PM

Last night at work, I was pushing/moving boxes and at one point pushed too hard.

As a result, my wrirst swelled a little, and reddened. There was, and is, no pain.

Last night, and mostly today, I've been applying ice to lessen the reddening and swelling. Again, there is no pain whatsoever.

I noticed that after I had applied ice for 10 minutes, and "tapped" the icepack my fingers tingled.

When "warm" (normal temperature), there is no tingling when tapped, but when the entire area is cold after 10 minutes of icepack usage, the area in general appears to be sensitive.

My question is: Is this increased sensitivity to "tapping" when cold, normal?

My thinking is the coldness + slowed blood flow as a result makes the area get blood slower, and thus is more sensitive to "tapping." Is there any truth to this?

I did a Internet search for tingling and wrist, and got some worrysome results. Tendinitis, among other issues resulted, but I wanted to ask here and get opinions. I value the opinions of TFP'ers much more than I do Google's search function, and thus decided this post was a good idea. I've also concluded that searching for medical conditions online results in various forms of hypocondria, worry, and potentially unncessary stress, and I was hoping replies here would help give me some valid feedback as well as perspective.

Just to recap: My left wrist is red and a little swollen as a result of pushing/moving boxes. I likely pushed one too hard. There isn't, and never was, any pain. While applying ice to the area, I experienced tingling after ten minutes of exposure, when I tapped my wrist. Is this a concern, or a valid result of extreme cold being applied to an area with heavy bloodflow?

Right now, almost 24 hours later, the area is clearly less swollen (almost gone), and the redness has greatly lessened. I am continuing to apply ice, because it is my understanding that applying cold/ice helps reduce swelling and redness faster.

Thanks!

raeanna74 · 10-01-2005, 06:31 PM

Tingling in the fingers is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrom.

My theory in your case is that the swelling irritated the nerves running through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrom is in part a chronic swelling in that area which can cause permanant loss of feeling. In your case, as long as you keep icing it, taking Ibuprophen for the swelling, and hold it in a relaxed position (ie. don't curl it in your sleep, or hold your hand in a fist), then you should probably notice some improvement once the swelling goes down. If you wanted to you might even purchase an inexpensive wrist brace, not wrap it too tightly, and use that while you sleep if you tend to curl your hands or tuck in them in tight positions. Keeping the back of the hand level with the arm will keep the carpal tunnel as open as possible and relieving as much of the pressure as possible.

This information is pretty much gained by personal experience. When I was pregnant I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. My trouble lessoned after pregnancy but occaisionally I still have trouble if I do a lot of typing, writing or small hand movements that irritate things. I have wrist braces that I wear at night when my hands start bothering me and things tend to calm down after wearing them regularly for a while.

If you notice any increase in swelling or increased lost of feeling it would be best that you see your Dr. Even if his advice is similar to the above he may have other methods of dealing with the problem that apply personally to you. Good Luck - don't panic.

edit - they told me when I broke my foot that applying ice, even a month afterwards was still beneficial (yes it was still swelling a month later and the ice did help).

Jimellow · 10-01-2005, 06:58 PM

What is the "carpal tunnel"? Is that something only those with carpal tunnel syndrome have, or does everyone have it?

The redness is continuing to get lesser as time passes, and there never really was much swelling.

No tingling until after I have applied ice for over ten minutes..

Anyway, if I am understanding you correctly, the swelling in my wrist may have spurred something along the lines of temporary carpal tunnel as a result of the swelling pushing the nerves? And then perhaps the extreme cold exaggerated this?

Thanks for the reply. Great information; I just want to make sure I am understanding you correctly.

raeanna74 · 10-02-2005, 06:58 AM

The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is made of bones on three sides and a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) across the wrist where the palm and forearm meet.

Inside the tunnel are:

* Tendons, which are strong and flexible (but not stretchable) bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. The tendons are surrounded by membranes (synovial membranes) called tendon sheaths.
* The median nerve, which controls some movement in the thumb and gives sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger.

WebMD

and there is an illustration here

I'm not entirely sure why the cold made the difference. Are you applying the icepacks directly or wrapping them with a light towel? That might prevent some damage to the skin. Otherwise you could alternate with the ice on and off more frequently instead of leaving it for more than 10 min. I'm not sure what the recommended time is. I don't believe icing it would cause a problem. If you are resting your wrist on it make sure that it's not drooping over the icepack - keep it positioned so your wrist is level. You may have only irritated the nerve , even not considering the swelling. Giving your wrist a break, continuing to ice it if that helps, and positioning it so that the bones are as open as possible will probably give you the best relief.

Glad the redness is getting better

Jimellow · 10-02-2005, 08:10 AM

Thanks again for the reply.

After waking up today, the redness is totally gone, as is the swelling.

I did a test last night regarding the ice application. I put ice on my other (normal) wrist for 10 minutes, and tapped it. It also tingled under extreme cold.

What I have concluded is that by making the area very cold and tapping it, I am actually tapping the cold/hardened vein and causing the "tap" to reverberate into the parts of the hand that the vein extends to.

I am a thin fellow, and my wrists aren't very "meaty.' Thus, I think my "vitals" are more exposed and accesible to tapping and such, and when cold is applied, they too are made cold, and even more vunerable.

Again, thanks for the links and information. I was concerned last night, but now am relieved that the redness and swelling is totally gone. There only was tingling after applying ice for 10 minutes or more and tapping, and aside from hitting my funny bone occasionally, I haven't experienced this under "normal" temperatures, and ideally won't in the future either.

10-01-2005, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	Does "extreme" cold affect nerve sensitivity? Last night at work, I was pushing/moving boxes and at one point pushed too hard. As a result, my wrirst swelled a little, and reddened. There was, and is, no pain. Last night, and mostly today, I've been applying ice to lessen the reddening and swelling. Again, there is no pain whatsoever. I noticed that after I had applied ice for 10 minutes, and "tapped" the icepack my fingers tingled. When "warm" (normal temperature), there is no tingling when tapped, but when the entire area is cold after 10 minutes of icepack usage, the area in general appears to be sensitive. My question is: Is this increased sensitivity to "tapping" when cold, normal? My thinking is the coldness + slowed blood flow as a result makes the area get blood slower, and thus is more sensitive to "tapping." Is there any truth to this? I did a Internet search for tingling and wrist, and got some worrysome results. Tendinitis, among other issues resulted, but I wanted to ask here and get opinions. I value the opinions of TFP'ers much more than I do Google's search function, and thus decided this post was a good idea. I've also concluded that searching for medical conditions online results in various forms of hypocondria, worry, and potentially unncessary stress, and I was hoping replies here would help give me some valid feedback as well as perspective. Just to recap: My left wrist is red and a little swollen as a result of pushing/moving boxes. I likely pushed one too hard. There isn't, and never was, any pain. While applying ice to the area, I experienced tingling after ten minutes of exposure, when I tapped my wrist. Is this a concern, or a valid result of extreme cold being applied to an area with heavy bloodflow? Right now, almost 24 hours later, the area is clearly less swollen (almost gone), and the redness has greatly lessened. I am continuing to apply ice, because it is my understanding that applying cold/ice helps reduce swelling and redness faster. Thanks! __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

10-01-2005, 06:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	Tingling in the fingers is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrom. My theory in your case is that the swelling irritated the nerves running through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrom is in part a chronic swelling in that area which can cause permanant loss of feeling. In your case, as long as you keep icing it, taking Ibuprophen for the swelling, and hold it in a relaxed position (ie. don't curl it in your sleep, or hold your hand in a fist), then you should probably notice some improvement once the swelling goes down. If you wanted to you might even purchase an inexpensive wrist brace, not wrap it too tightly, and use that while you sleep if you tend to curl your hands or tuck in them in tight positions. Keeping the back of the hand level with the arm will keep the carpal tunnel as open as possible and relieving as much of the pressure as possible. This information is pretty much gained by personal experience. When I was pregnant I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. My trouble lessoned after pregnancy but occaisionally I still have trouble if I do a lot of typing, writing or small hand movements that irritate things. I have wrist braces that I wear at night when my hands start bothering me and things tend to calm down after wearing them regularly for a while. If you notice any increase in swelling or increased lost of feeling it would be best that you see your Dr. Even if his advice is similar to the above he may have other methods of dealing with the problem that apply personally to you. Good Luck - don't panic. edit - they told me when I broke my foot that applying ice, even a month afterwards was still beneficial (yes it was still swelling a month later and the ice did help). __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma. Last edited by raeanna74; 10-01-2005 at 06:35 PM..

10-01-2005, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	What is the "carpal tunnel"? Is that something only those with carpal tunnel syndrome have, or does everyone have it? The redness is continuing to get lesser as time passes, and there never really was much swelling. No tingling until after I have applied ice for over ten minutes.. Anyway, if I am understanding you correctly, the swelling in my wrist may have spurred something along the lines of temporary carpal tunnel as a result of the swelling pushing the nerves? And then perhaps the extreme cold exaggerated this? Thanks for the reply. Great information; I just want to make sure I am understanding you correctly. __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.

10-02-2005, 06:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist that is made of bones on three sides and a ligament (transverse carpal ligament) across the wrist where the palm and forearm meet. Inside the tunnel are: * Tendons, which are strong and flexible (but not stretchable) bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. The tendons are surrounded by membranes (synovial membranes) called tendon sheaths. * The median nerve, which controls some movement in the thumb and gives sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. WebMD and there is an illustration here I'm not entirely sure why the cold made the difference. Are you applying the icepacks directly or wrapping them with a light towel? That might prevent some damage to the skin. Otherwise you could alternate with the ice on and off more frequently instead of leaving it for more than 10 min. I'm not sure what the recommended time is. I don't believe icing it would cause a problem. If you are resting your wrist on it make sure that it's not drooping over the icepack - keep it positioned so your wrist is level. You may have only irritated the nerve , even not considering the swelling. Giving your wrist a break, continuing to ice it if that helps, and positioning it so that the bones are as open as possible will probably give you the best relief. Glad the redness is getting better __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

10-02-2005, 08:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	Thanks again for the reply. After waking up today, the redness is totally gone, as is the swelling. I did a test last night regarding the ice application. I put ice on my other (normal) wrist for 10 minutes, and tapped it. It also tingled under extreme cold. What I have concluded is that by making the area very cold and tapping it, I am actually tapping the cold/hardened vein and causing the "tap" to reverberate into the parts of the hand that the vein extends to. I am a thin fellow, and my wrists aren't very "meaty.' Thus, I think my "vitals" are more exposed and accesible to tapping and such, and when cold is applied, they too are made cold, and even more vunerable. Again, thanks for the links and information. I was concerned last night, but now am relieved that the redness and swelling is totally gone. There only was tingling after applying ice for 10 minutes or more and tapping, and aside from hitting my funny bone occasionally, I haven't experienced this under "normal" temperatures, and ideally won't in the future either. __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.