Mind, I’ve had many tattoos, but this is the first big one on my forearm and woof my elbow is rejecting this world.
It’s been almost a week since getting it, healing is coming along nicely, but the inner side of my elbow joint is just in crazy pain, especially as my palm faces upwards. Bending is near impossible.
I haven’t done anything with that arm that would otherwise make that kind of pain - like picking up bricks or whatever. So unless I slept wrong for the past three days, my guess is that it’s coming from the tattoo somehow.
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Under any definition of normal that’s useful, no, it isn’t normal.
Mild inflammation for a day or two, yeah. Intense pain along with joint mobility issues, hell no. That’s abnormal, and even if it turns out to just be a weird but short term response to the tattoo, it needs to be checked out by a doctor.
I’m not saying it never happens, because it does. You aren’t the first person to experience it, but it isn’t a standard, expected response to a tattoo. You expect topical pain, some swelling at and around the site of the tattoo, maybe some degree of joint issues for a day or two at the outside when it’s on or very near a joint.
But a week later, with “crazy” pain and the joint not moving right is atypical for sure, and if the worst case scenario were involved, you’d want it checked out sooner rather than later
Infections can present like that, as can nerve damage. That’s two things you don’t fuck with. Both are treatable, but untreated can cause worse things to happen. Probably It’s not a big deal, just an unusually intense response that’s going to go away after another week at the outside. But it’s my opinion that the risks of waiting and seeing are higher than the costs of a doctor visit.
I appreciate the response and I’ll give a call as soon as offices open to see if I can have someone take a look. Cheers!
Was the tattoo over the joint? If the muscle or bone was bruised, I could see that hurting for a few weeks after.
Is there any discoloration, redness, swelling, or fever? (ie, any signs of infection)
You should probably call your tattoo artist to ask as well.
Call your tatoo artist and also just to be sure, visit a doctor. Physical (or mental) ailments should be less discussed in the Internet and more in a doctor’s office
It’s not over the joint but it is near. It’s no longer swollen nor has any signs of infection, but I wonder if the initial swelling maybe created a bruise I can’t see that is just deep enough to feel like joint pain?
Any tingling or pain in your hand, ring and pinky fingers? It kind of sounds like your ulnar nerve is where the pain is coming from
Nah, just elbow pain thankfully
There is also a lymph node there, which can be quite painful when swollen.
I have tattoos over both my forearms and up the inside of my elbows and didn’t have any issues with pain afterwards, but everyone’s body is different in how it reacts to things.
Ohhh. Maybe that’s the case. I’ve learned I’m rather allergic to blue, so perhaps there’s a localized reaction there.
