Why does the little finger on my right hand always go numb?
A common culprit in the development of numbness in this case is overexertion. Most people are right-handed, and carpal tunnel syndrome occurs on the right side. Compression of the median nerve occurs in seamstresses, programmers, and sign language interpreters, whose work involves small, monotonous movements.
In second place is cervical osteochondrosis, in which most often the little and ring fingers on the hand go numb . Inflammation of the spinal root leads to disruption of the innervation of the upper limb.
The third is vascular disorders. This is a blockage of the lumen of small vessels by a thrombus, cholesterol plaque (with atherosclerosis), spasm.
On the fourth - damage to the ulnar nerve due to neuritis.
Other root causes of paresthesia:
- fresh and old injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- hypo- and vitamin deficiencies;
- neoplasms.
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September 27, 2019
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Ulnar nerve entrapment is a common condition and is usually not serious. However, it can cause serious complications if left untreated, such as paralysis and loss of sensation in the affected arm or hand. Timely diagnosis and treatment in most cases lead to full recovery.
The ulnar nerve is a long nerve of the brachial plexus that provides sensation to the 4th and 5th fingers and mobility of the hand and fingers. The nerve gets its name from its location near the ulna bone. The ulnar nerve begins in the neck and runs through the entire arm to the fingers, innervating the flexor muscles of the arm.
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Because the ulnar nerve runs the entire length of the arm, there are several areas along its path where it can become damaged. The pressure and irritation is called an ulnar nerve entrapment. This is the 2nd most common painful pinched nerve in the upper body, scientists say.
The ulnar nerve can become pinched anywhere along its course, but most often it occurs at or near the crease of the elbow. This disorder is known as cubital tunnel syndrome. Less commonly, the ulnar nerve becomes pinched in the wrist area.
The most common cause of a pinched ulnar nerve is compression, researchers say. It can occur when a person leans on the elbow for a long time, when the nerve slips out of place when bending the elbow, from fluid accumulation in the elbow joint, from injuries and bone spurs of the elbow, from arthrosis or swelling of the elbow or wrist, as well as from repeated prolonged flexion and extension. hands at the elbow joint.
Some symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment may occur in the elbow joint, but most symptoms involve the palm and fingers. Many symptoms are more severe when the arm is bent at the elbow.
Symptoms of a pinched ulnar nerve include numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers, poor hand control, difficulty controlling the fingers when performing tasks (such as typing on a keyboard or playing instruments), sensitivity to cold, pain or weakness in the elbow joint, and late stages of the disease - muscle atrophy.
Early diagnosis of ulnar nerve entrapment can usually help avoid long-term loss of function and sensation in the hand and fingers, scientists say. If symptoms of the disorder persist for several weeks, you should seek medical help.
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Treatment for ulnar nerve entrapment depends on the severity of the disorder. For mild cases, treatment options include anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, orthodontic braces or splints to keep the elbow in a straight position overnight, and physical therapy. In severe cases of ulnar nerve entrapment, surgery is indicated.
To prevent ulnar nerve pinching, scientists recommend avoiding any activity that involves repeated flexion and extension of the elbow, adopting a correct posture when working at the computer, keeping the elbow joint straight at night, not leaning on the elbow, and avoiding putting pressure on it. By following these rules, most people can avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, experts say.
Based on materials from www.medicalnewstoday.com
At an appointment with a surgeon, you can often hear the question of why your elbow hurts and your hand goes numb. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. Each case must be considered in the context of concomitant symptoms and the presence of chronic diseases, the musculoskeletal system, the cardiovascular system, and the endocrine system.
Why does the little finger on my left hand go numb?
Paresthesia on the left requires special attention. They can be a sign of cardiovascular pathologies: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and stroke. These conditions are accompanied by concomitant symptoms, but there are also isolated cases when only the little finger on the left hand goes numb , and then the clinical picture unfolds.
Etiological factors also include osteochondrosis, local ischemia and other pathologies listed for the corresponding finger on the opposite side.
Diagnosis of diseases causing numbness
Since decreased sensitivity in the fingers of the left hand may indicate vascular pathologies and portend a stroke, first of all, you should go to a cardiologist. If, during the diagnosis, the doctor does not find the causes of the symptom in “his area”, consultation with other specialized specialists will be required: a surgeon, a vertebrologist and a neurologist.
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When differentially diagnosing the causes of numbness in the fingers, the following methods can be used:
- General blood and urine tests are required to identify infectious lesions and endocrine pathologies.
- X-rays of the cervical spine are recommended to be taken in several projections. This is necessary to accurately record the localization of zones of compression of nerve fibers and blood vessels.
- Doppler ultrasound of the vertebral artery is performed to assess the patency of an important vessel supplying the brain.
- Based on the results of CT and MRI, the condition of the cervical spine and large blood vessels lying in this area is assessed.
- Electro- and echoencephalography are necessary to assess the functionality of parts of the brain.
During these diagnostic measures, it is revealed what caused the numbness of the fingers of the left hand. Treatment of the symptom will consist of complex therapy of the underlying disease.
What causes the little fingers on the hands to go numb: reasons
Bilateral, symmetrical damage is possible with:
- degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the spine;
- metabolic and autoimmune diseases: diabetes, scleroderma;
- spasm of microcirculatory vessels;
- anemia;
- alcoholic polyneuropathy;
- infections of the nervous system.
When both little fingers on the hands go numb, the reasons may be inflammatory damage to the cartilage and articular structures. These are osteoarthritis, tendovaginitis, myofascial syndromes that affect the membrane covering the muscles. This list includes rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, consequences of a fracture of the radius, and tendon sprains.
When the little and ring fingers on the hand go numb , this is a characteristic sign of radiculitis, protrusion or herniated intervertebral disc. The root cause may be cardiac ischemia, but then discomfort appears at night, and the unpleasant sensations spread to the inner side of the forearm. This symptom also occurs with hypothyroidism, a decrease in thyroid function.
The choice of therapy depends on the diagnosis. Treatment comes down to eliminating the underlying disease and local effects: applying ointments, physiotherapeutic procedures. Electrophoresis, amplipulse, laser, and magnetic therapy are recommended. Medicines used include analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. Drugs that improve blood microcirculation are indicated.
What to do if pain in the elbow joint radiates to your fingers
Elbow pain and numbness in the fingers are serious symptoms that indicate many different diseases, including life-threatening ones. It is extremely important not to endure unpleasant sensations by self-medicating, but to see a specialist. The doctor may give directions for various types of examinations: ultrasound, x-rays, tomography, and prescribe treatment based on the confirmed diagnosis. There are also folk remedies to eliminate unpleasant sensations, but they all eliminate the symptoms and do not help get rid of the root cause. Even treatment with traditional recipes should be under the supervision of a doctor. Sometimes such remedies can help cope with the disorder, but they should be only part of a complete therapeutic treatment.
Relatively safe causes of the pathological condition
First of all, you should make sure that the pain in the elbow and numbness in the hand are not associated with a banal injury. Often, soft tissue bruises cause swelling, which puts pressure on blood vessels and veins, impairing blood circulation.
What else you need to pay attention to:
- the presence of bad habits (weakening of blood flow may be associated with alcohol abuse, smoking);
- comfort of a night's rest (uncomfortable pillow, tight sleep clothes often become a source of discomfort);
- professional duties (elbow hurts and hand goes numb with prolonged use).
The risk group usually includes professional athletes, manual workers (loaders, construction workers), and chiropractors.
Receiving microtrauma
Short nerve endings (up to three millimeters in diameter) entangle the fingers in a network. Physical impact on any of these nerves can result in numbness of the little finger in the area where the injury occurred.
Microtraumas most often occur due to injury or traumatic exposure. In these cases, surgery is most often necessary to restore damaged nerves and restore the previous sensitivity.
Therapeutic measures
In each individual case, individual treatment is required. For osteochondrosis and carpal tunnel syndrome, massage of the collar area and a complex of physical therapy help to cope with the problem. Special physical exercises are used to develop atrophied muscles after a hand injury.
Taking medications in each case will go well with manual therapy, taking a vitamin complex, and physiotherapy. Treatment with ultrasound, laser and magnetic therapy helps improve blood circulation and has a positive effect on all regeneration processes.
Non-traditional methods are also widely used in therapy: vacuum procedures, hirudotherapy, acupuncture.
To avoid numbness in your fingers, it is important to follow some preventative measures:
- avoid wearing heavy things for a long time;
- walk more;
- introduce into your diet as many products as possible containing vitamins B12;
- during monotonous work, it is important to take a break for physical activity;
- avoid severe stress;
- get rid of bad habits (stop drinking alcohol and smoking);
- dress warmly when it's cold outside.
All the recommendations described will help significantly reduce the chance of loss of sensitivity in the fingers, and will reduce the risk of vascular diseases and damage to nerve fibers.
Which doctor will help?
Due to the fact that there are a large number of reasons for the loss of sensitivity in the fingers, it is important to seek help from several specialists at once who could accurately determine the source of the lesion: a surgeon, a neurologist, a cardiologist. All of them must conduct a full study, as a result of which it will be possible to prescribe correct and effective treatment.
Most often, therapy comes down to doing therapeutic exercises, taking medications and using external ointments.
