I had blood drawn from my right arm in a vein at the front…

Question

I had blood drawn from my right arm in a vein at the front of the elbow in
mid-June. The technican did not put a tounequet on my arm or check my veins. I
have small veins and have been poked many, many times on that arm since I had
breast cancer (on left side) 15 years. A butterfly needle is usually used and
the tech is usually careful to find a good vein. Not so this time. The tech
grabbed my arm and put in a large needle before I could even tell him that a
butterfly needle is used. It did bleed but he put cotton on it and didn't tell
me to hold it but I knew that I should do that. Within several days, the bend in
my arm was purple and bright blue. I iced it and thought it was o.k. but then
the purple and blue started to move down my arm about six inches and I was a
real mess. My arm may have hurt a little bit. This draw was made in my
oncologist's office!
It was a week or so later that I noticed fluid accumulated on my elbow. I called
the office and told a nurse what happened and she apologized over and over. I
mentioned the fluid but nothing was said about it. I just thought it came from
the blown draw and go away. I iced it over the next weeks and thought it was
down. Then this weekend I noticed that there was quite a bit of fluid again.
I think that after the blood draw I remember hitting my elbo on something but
can't really remember what. I have been bumping it on everything it seems--the
console in my car, sitting in a chair or at a table.
In checking websites I have come up with olecranon bursitis? Does this sound
correct? If so, could this have come from the blown blood draw or from a little
hit to the elbow during that time?
I have not gone to a doctor as yet--only talked on the phone after I first
discovered. A friend mentioned to me that the fluid should probably be drained.
I have several doctors and at this point don't know which one I should contact.
I'd appreciate your advice on this situation. Thank you.

Dr. Mark · Accepted Answer

Chat Conversation Started
Dr. Mark :

Hello.

Dr. Mark :

Are you saying that the blood draw was from the palm side of your forearm?

Dr. Mark :

And that your fluid accumulation is now around the elbow (e.g. the opposite side
of the arm than the blood draw)?

Customer :

Yes, that is correct.

Dr. Mark :

OK.

Dr. Mark :

Have you had any injury to the elbow recently?

Dr. Mark :

And do you have any issues with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, recent infections or
wounds over the elbow area?

Customer :

No. I think I did mention that I remember bumping it sometime after the blood
draw but can't remember on what. The fluid on the elbow was noticed shortly
after that. I keep bumping it lightly. I do not have any issues that you
mentioned. I have noticed from time to time that the elbow with fluid is a bit
warm at times.

Dr. Mark :

OK.

Dr. Mark :

Well, it certainly does sound like this could be olecranon bursitis, of which a
common cause if trauma to the elbow.

Dr. Mark :

Bumping the elbow can cause inflammation in the bursa, causing fluid to
accumulate in the area.

Dr. Mark :

The actual blood draw from your arm is in an entirely different "compartment" of
the arm, and an overaggresive blood draw from that area would not be the cause
of fluid around your elbow like this.

Dr. Mark :

Often times, this will improve with a steroid injection in the area.

Dr. Mark :

This will help to relieve the inflammation, and the fluid will improve.

Dr. Mark :

Of course - only a doctor's exam can make this diagnosis, and starting with your
primary care doctor would be best.

Dr. Mark :

As for the blood draw, having the bruise in the arm, and travel down the arm is
(unfortunately) quite commonplace, but that bruising and blood should have
reabsorbed within a couple of weeks.

Dr. Mark :

So the potential bursitis is probably a red herring, and unrelated to the blood
draw event.

Customer :

If I traumatized my elbow with a slight hit, how hard would it have had to be
and would it have had to be directly on a bursa.

Dr. Mark :

No - the "trauma" does not even have to be a "hit". It can be from things like
leaning on your elbow for hours during the day, or using your elbows to push you
out of a chair during the day, etc.

Dr. Mark :

It can be from overuse, and inflammation happens in this way.

Customer :

I really don't think that I have leaned on that elbow for hours. I have been
golfing but haven't taken any hits on it. I would think that the golf swing
would help relieve it.

Dr. Mark :

Aha.

Dr. Mark :

Golfing can aggravate the elbow.

Customer :

I have been golfing for over 40 years but have not had tendonitis or any
problems with my elbow. I have lymphedema in the left arm and have found that
golf helps that arm.

Dr. Mark :

The repetitive motion from the swing can certainly be an issue here causing
inflammation in the elbow (as well as the shoulder and wrist, potentially).

Dr. Mark :

Most people don't have problems most of the time.

Dr. Mark :

But when inflammation occurs, it can happen to anyone.

Dr. Mark :

There is another condition called golfer's elbow (which is pain and
inflammation) - but more on the inside of the elbow, due to tendon inflammation.

Dr. Mark :

Another possibility to consider:

Dr. Mark :

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/golfers-elbow/DS00713
[http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/golfers-elbow/DS00713]

Customer :

But, what caused the inflation initially? Was it just a coincedence that it
occurred after the bad blood draw?

Dr. Mark :

It sounds like a coincidence.

Customer :

Is it possible to print out our conversation along with my initial question?

Dr. Mark :

Sure, I believe so.

Dr. Mark :

After you accept the question, the conversation will be in a format where you
should be able to print it out, or at least be able to "cut and paste" the
conversation.

Dr. Mark :

And it will still be here if you decide to log back into justanswer.com

Customer :

One other question about my arm. At times my arm above the elbow itches just a
little and about a year ago there was a rash. I don't seem to have the rash but
it does feel a little rough in that area. Could this be connected to my problem?

Dr. Mark :

It's unlikely that a rash from a year ago is related to this current issue.

Dr. Mark :

Certainly there could have been an issue at that time (like a contact
dermatitis) with caused the itching and rash, but it is not related to the
potential inflammation of the elbow bursa or tendons you seem to be experiencing
now.

Customer :

So, you are suggesting that I start with my primary care physician and go from
there. Is there anything other than a steroid to treat the fluid?

Customer :

I gather that it will probably have to be drained to get rid of it.

Customer :

Are you still on-line with me too?

Dr. Mark :

Hello, sorry, had to step away for a moment.

Dr. Mark :

Yes, if there is fluid, drainage of the fluid can help, along with analysis of
the fluid itself (to make sure it isn't infection, or gout).

Dr. Mark :

And steroid injection there can help with the inflammation and prevent this from
recurring.

Customer :

O. K. Thank you, ***** ***** for the information. Do I understand if I have any
other questions about this, I can contact you or this website again?

Dr. Mark :

Yes, you're always welcome to add a comment to the end of the question after
accepting the answer.

Dr. Mark :

I'm not on all the time, but will get back to you as soon as possible.

Dr. Mark :

Or another expert can jump in to help you.

Customer :

O. K. I'll hit accept now. Thanks again.

I had blood drawn from my right arm in a vein at the front…

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