Arm/hand pain after lower back surgery is probably due to positioning when in surgery. The arms are typically bent at the shoulder like the “hold-up” position similar to how you would hold your arms if someone was holding you up (robbing you) with a weapon.
In this position, if you had thoracic outlet syndrome (see website) or there was significant pressure on your median or ulnar nerves (see carpel and cubital tunnel syndromes), the nerves might be compressed. The symptoms should be temporary but with symptoms three months out, there is some concern for more permanent damage.
Your surgeon should be able to diagnose the cause, whether it is from the above mentioned syndromes or even if from the neck (cervical radiculopathy-see website) and advance appropriate treatment.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
