Q: Thirteen days after an angiogram was done via my right wrist, I woke up with a swollen and reddened right hand. I felt pain around the wrist area, middle and side of the hand. There were no external signs of cuts, bites or injury (X-rays were taken).

Neither do I have a history of aches and pains in that area.

The pulse rate at the wrist was normal and blood tests showed no presence of uric acid or diabetes.

For the record, I had a LAD stent implant in 2003, with the angioplasty done via the groin. The recent angiogram was ordered because I had failed the Bruce protocol treadmill test.

I was prescribed a seven-day course of two antibiotics as well as a painkiller cum anti-inflammatory medication. It brought the swelling down a little.

My hand looks normal now after several visits to a Chinese sinseh who gave me hand massages and an ointment. The disability and pain still remain though.

Now, after two months with only painkillers for relief, on my bad days I can hardly lift a newspaper with my right hand, turn a doorknob or button up my shirt. What is wrong with my right hand?

A: LAD is an abbreviation for 'left anterior descending" artery which is the large artery supplying the front portion of your heart.

The exercise treadmill stress test is to assess whether a patient might have coronary artery disease. There are several protocols available: they differ in the speed at which the treadmill runs and the incline of the treadmill.

The Bruce protocol stress test is the most common protocol used.

It is difficult to determine your problem without an examination. From your description, it is likely that you initially had either an infection or bleeding following the angiogram. This should have settled with the treatment given.

There are other possible complications following an angiogram which can result in pain or discomfort. Alternatively, it is possible that the hand weakness is the result of something else.

I suggest that you see a hand specialist/surgeon who should be able to tell you what the cause of your pain and disability is. -Dr Ng Wai Lin

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.