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How Can Numbness In The Finger After Injury Be Treated?
Question: January 4, 2017 I stabbed my palm directly under my wedding ring. Myring finger instantly went numb. I live in rural Alaska and had to drive 4 hours for medical attention. I went to the ER and got 2 little stiches. I was told my finger was numb because I had it tightly wrapped because it was bleeding so hard. If you face your left palm to your face my ring finger is numb on the right side (next to pinky) the left side is normal Sometimes a get stinging or a prickly feeling. Will this eventually heal or should I see a hand specialist?
Brief Answer:
May persist
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From what I understand it is 4 months now since the traumatic event. That amount of time should be more than enough for an injury due to the tight wrapping to heal, usually most improvement happens during the first 3 months. The fact that the symptoms persist indicates that there may be an permanent injury to a peripheral branch of the ulnar nerve which supplies that area which the more the time passes the less likely it is to heal by itself. It may be due to a direct damage by the cut.
So yes you should see a hand specialist, although that is more for the purpose of excluding other possible causes, such as compression due to a fracture, neurinomas etc. If the lesion is confirmed to be directly due to the cut I am afraid there is not much that could be done to revert it.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
May persist
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From what I understand it is 4 months now since the traumatic event. That amount of time should be more than enough for an injury due to the tight wrapping to heal, usually most improvement happens during the first 3 months. The fact that the symptoms persist indicates that there may be an permanent injury to a peripheral branch of the ulnar nerve which supplies that area which the more the time passes the less likely it is to heal by itself. It may be due to a direct damage by the cut.
So yes you should see a hand specialist, although that is more for the purpose of excluding other possible causes, such as compression due to a fracture, neurinomas etc. If the lesion is confirmed to be directly due to the cut I am afraid there is not much that could be done to revert it.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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