![]() ![]() In time, your cervical spine will become limited in its ability to sleep with that much rotation. Stomach sleepers beware! Although there is limited data, anecdotally we know that it is hard to sleep in a prone position without the temptation of flexing your elbows under you, or worse, putting them under your head.Consider sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides or on pillows to keep your elbows and wrists in an ideal position.When sleeping on your side, place a pillow in front of you to support the whole arm, limit elbow flexion, and keep the wrist and fingers flat, in a neutral position.Closing the fingers into a fist jams the intrinsic hand muscles and tendons into the carpal tunnel where the median nerve lives. When you flex your elbow for sustained periods of time, it takes on tremendous strain. It wraps around the inside of your elbow. Your ulnar nerve controls sensation to your small and ring fingers. Avoid sleeping with your elbow bent more than 90 degrees.Consider your head like a 10# bowling ball don’t put it on your hand or forearm!.Here are some guidelines that may help you keep your nerves happy while you sleep: Consider how long we may maintain stress to a nerve when we are in a deep sleep and static position for up to 6-8 hours. We have all heard about the relationship between carpal tunnel and how we sit at our computers all day. We now know that low magnitude compressive stress applied to a nerve over a long period of time may cause significant changes secondary to impairment of blood flow, alteration in nerve conduction, and altered axonal transport. There are numerous studies in the literature that describe correlations between sleep positioning and carpal tunnel but actually, any of the peripheral nerves are subject to it. Our body has this wonderfully efficient system to alert us to make a change–before permanent nerve damage occurs. Your nerve(s) may have reached its tipping point, signaling that it has had enough compressive stress and can no longer tolerate that position. Have you ever awoken from a sound sleep unable to “find” your arm in space? Have you noticed that when you wake up in the middle of the night, your fingers are numb and tingling? You may be sleeping in positions that stress the nerves in your neck or arm. Depending on your child’s age and immunization status, the doctor also may order a tetanus booster.Does your sleep positioning make the nerves in your arm cranky? In this case, antibiotics will be prescribed. A fracture underneath a cut is considered an “open” fracture and is susceptible to infection in the bone. If there’s considerable blood under the nail, the pediatrician may drain it by making a small hole in the nail, which should relieve the pain.Īlthough deep cuts may require stitches, often all that’s necessary is sterile adhesive strips (thin adhesive strips similar to butterfly bandages). An injured nail bed also must be repaired surgically to minimize the possibility of a nail deformity developing as the finger grows. A fractured finger can be straightened and set under local anesthesia. If the X-ray confirms a fracture-or if there’s damage to the nail bed, where nail growth occurs-an orthopedic consultation may be necessary. ![]() If your doctor suspects a fracture, he may order an X-ray. Do not attempt to straighten a fractured finger on your own. When there’s excessive swelling, a deep cut, blood under the fingernail, or if the finger looks as if it may be broken, call your doctor immediately. These may be signs of infection, and you should notify your pediatrician. But be alert for any increase in pain, swelling, redness, or drainage from the injured area, or a fever beginning twenty-four to seventy-two hours after the injury. If the swelling is mild and your child is comfortable, you can allow the finger to heal on its own. An ice pack or a soaking in cold water may relieve the pain and minimize swelling. When the fingertip is bleeding, wash it with soap and water, and cover it with a soft, sterile dressing. ![]() If bleeding occurs underneath the nail, it will turn black or dark blue, and the pressure from the bleeding may be painful. The skin, tissues below the skin, and the nail bed-as well as the underlying bone and growth plate-all may be affected. Usually the damaged area will be blue and swollen, and there may be a cut or bleeding around the cuticle. Fingers also sometimes get crushed when youngsters play with a hammer or other heavy object, or when they’re around a car door.īecause fingertips are exquisitely sensitive, your child will let you know immediately that she’s been injured. The child is either unable to recognize the potential danger, or she fails to remove her hand quickly enough before the door is shut. Children’s fingertips get smashed frequently, usually getting caught in closing doors. ![]()
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