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Good morning. Well, it's hard to believe it's officially the season of pumpkins, changing leaves, and Halloween. Unless, of course, you're Starbucks and started selling PSLs on AUGUST 22nd.
I just checked. August 22nd was officially 86° here in Denver this year. Not exactly flannel weather.
Anyways, I digress...
** Remember, if you'd like to cozy up with a PSL and read a morning newsletter, here's where I find the interesting ones I subscribe to.
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☝️ First Hand
I cannot in good conscience write this weekly newsletter as a hand surgeon and not give my two cents on pumpkin carving. I just can't do it.
Each year, I see far too many slip-and-stab injuries...and these things can be life-changing.
In an instant.
So whether pumpkin carving is part of your Halloween celebration plans this year or not, I've written this article with the intention of helping you pick up a thing or two about all varieties of knife injuries.
And if listening is your thing, I have the article in podcast format again linked below.
Keep those precious hands safe this fall!
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👀 X-ray of the Week 👀
Here's something spooky.
If I recall correctly, this person was shot in the foot during an altercation. It's a pretty good look at an entrance/exit wound of the bullet track as it entered along the top of the foot...and failed to completely exit.
This person was very busy and was not thrilled about the prospect of a hospital stay and surgery to remove the bullet.
So after a bit of a discussion and some careful disclaimers....I ended up numbing this guy up and removing the bullet fragment right there in the ER!
He had quite the souvenir to take home with him that night...
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Rules of Thumb Q&A
**Reminder. This is not medical advice. No patient-doctor relationship is formed. This content is for educational purposes only**
Reader Question:
"Last weekend I used a handheld orbital sander and now my hand has been numb for the last week. I'm pretty freaked out about it, what's going on??"
Evidence:
- This is a classic description of something we call "Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome."
- When a prolonged vibratory force is applied to a nerve (they looked at this in the lab in rat leg nerves), it completely scrambles the inner machinery of the nerve. Fortunately, after a few weeks, the nerves completely normalize their structure and function.
- There is some evidence linking repeated bouts of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (think of someone who uses a jackhammer for a living) and peripheral neuropathies, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
What would I do?
- This type of story brings patients into my office relatively frequently. And for good reason. If your hand goes numb after using a power tool, and stays that way for a week or two, you're going to be freaked out!
- Fortunately, the nerve can heal itself. It may take a few weeks (I occasionally see it last a month or two), but it always wakes back up.
- A few weeks is much easier to bear as long as you know it will turn around. A few weeks spent wondering if it will ever go back to normal is terrifying!
- If 6 weeks go by without any improvement in symptoms, I would see a hand surgeon and discuss getting a nerve test (EMG test). There may be an underlying nerve problem that the power tool episode has unmasked.
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🕰️ Meme Time 🕰️
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1:0 AM • Sep 22, 2024
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I can't tell you how much I appreciate you all being here each week. This has been a ton of fun for me. Remember to reach out if there are ways I can provide more value to you!
-Dr. G
**Please do not use this email to try to obtain medical advice. I cannot legally or ethically provide that. If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911 and do not attempt to contact me through email.**
Rules of Thumb Archive • www.nickgolinvauxmd.com
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Disclaimer (because, you know, lawyer stuff)
If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. Do not attempt to contact or obtain medical services through this site. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this site or materials linked from this site is at the user's own risk. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. The content is my own and does not necessarily reflect the views of OCC.
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