I sustained an injury on my hand late in the evening a week ago, on the side of one finger, and by early next morning that hand was swollen like a balloon, hot to the touch, and very painful. Infection time! Yes, I immediately got a dr. appntmnt. and received an injection of some high-octane antibiotics at their office, plus a 10-day Rx for amoxycillin.
The swelling started improving that same day, and was noticeably better another day later. Go modern medicine!
But parts of the hand (not even right at the injury site) are still sore to the touch. I’m wondering if edema can potentially injure cells or tissues. Does edema “burst” tissue cells or otherwise cause damage that lasts after the swelling has gone back down?
(You’re not a doctor. I’m under the care of a real-life physician, this is not a request for advice, etc. I am dutifully taking the antibiotic pills as prescribed.)
What you are describing is inflammation - the process characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and heat.
Inflammation involves the action of a number of chemical mediators which can injure and/or activate involved tissues including nerves and so can cause pain.
Some mediators released during inflammation cause local clots to form in the adjacent small blood vessels and those can also cause pain. In fact, the local lymphatic channels are especially susceptible to this type of damage.
When tissues are stretched to accommodate the edema, there is also stretching of any embedded nerve fibres and that too can lead to pain.
The good news is that inflammation is usually quite well coordinated in the body. Not only are tissues being destroyed and damaged by the inflammatory process (which is a good thing, of course, when the tissue includes ‘foreign invaders’), but there is a coupling with the reparative process (otherwise you’d be left with an unplugged hole). As healing continues, the pain should disappear.
That’s somewhat comforting, thanks. This is the index finger of my dominant hand, so I really worried about permanent reduction in dexterity and strength. Many other locations, I wouldn’t have given as much of a crap.
But losing most use of my dominant hand has made the past week into a frustrating challenge. Brushing my teeth, brushing/braiding my hair, and wiping after using the toilet were … no longer mindlessly routine, let’s put it that way.
I like knowing at least a bit about what’s going on, besides just “ouchie hurts” so again, thanks.
Without seeing your hand, I’d add that it’s hard to know how much of your discomfort is still related to the infection. Definitely keep taking your meds, and be sure to discuss any ongoing issues with your doc if they persist.