my mother had a diaphramtic hernia repair surgery about 1 month ago and it was a success. she had her instestines pressing against her heart, one of her lungs so they had to have the surgery. She is now experiencing a dull ache (she says like a toothache) in her left arm that will not go away...Her gp prescribed her Tramadol and told her she has a pinched nerve (he thinks), my mother still has pain and it is not helping at all....She thinks it is trapped gas in her arm because she uses a heating pad on her arm and she says she can feel the gas move from her arm to her stomache and then she has flatulence, she told this to her dr but he told her that is impossible. Do you have any idea what this could be from?
Hi, the explanation that your mother is giving is a common one and most patients feel that way, although that is scientifically not correct. As far as the pain goes, it could be due to any neural compression which may not be related with the surgery she has gone through, a good thorough examination can help come to a cause, which can be substantiated by tests, I would recommend you to contact the operating surgeon for help first and let him decide the course of treatment