Hematoma

[yetwig]

I had a procedure today at the hospital and had to have a canular fitted, the nurse tried to fit one in the back of my right hand but its caused a big hematoma lump, its sore and it hurts to move my fingers. Any ideas how i can reduce the swelling and pain?

I would call 111, especially as you can't move your fingers, are you on any medication that might cause bleeding. Did the nurse apply pressure to it at the time.

No, no medication for anything, I have the normal plaster on it and I've taken some painkillers. Thanks for replying x

Don't call 111 - they'll send a flipping ambulance! Take some pain relief and try and keep your hand up. The chances of getting a haematoma big enough to compromise your fingers from a cannula on the back of your hand are pretty slim - there's a fair bit of spare skin there to accommodate a swelling. If it keeps expanding or you literally can't move your fingers then go to ED but if it's stopped expanding and is just a bit sore it just needs time. Keep an eye out for redness/warmth/signs of infection.

I have exactly the same from one sited yesterday. Ouch it hurts. I have no wise words but I was just told to avoid touching it and take paracetamol if it’s bad.

Can you get nerve damage from a cannula or a haematoma, I had terrible bruising once, I put it up on a pillow and it did eventually go but it stung like mad.

@HoleyCoMoley damaging a nerve putting a cannula in the back of the hand would be extremely unlikely (there aren't any big, superficial nerves in the usual places). There are a couple of spots in the arm where it's more likely. A massive haematoma could in theory cause something called compartment syndrome which can compromise nerves (but have never heard of it happening from a cannula attempt) and would require emergency surgery to fix (so is not what you had). As i said above, there's a fair bit of loose skin on the back of a hand to allow swelling. Bruising from a cannula can leave the skin quite sensitive for a while.

Mine was the inside of my arm, the bruising got huge but I didn't have to have emergency surgery , that sounds pretty rare. Mine just stung and got all dry and wrinkly.