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What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Question: hello, i have had nerve issues in my arm and hand for two days. coldness and tingling on the ulnar side of the arm, with tingling and numbness and coldness in my little finger.with occasional sensations on the radial side(the fat part) i understand carpal tunnel syndrome doesnt affect the little finger?? please help dont want this to get worse
Brief Answer:
Carpal tunnel sundrom affecting one of the nerves
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for using HCM,
What you are describing looks like a nerve problem. There are 3 nerves on the hand, and when one of them is compressed on its normal course, it starts causing tingelling, numbness and coldness sensation. They all pass on the carpal tunel, so the symptoms would depend on who of them has been damaged. The median nerve happen to have problems mostly, so thats why the little finger has no problems in that case.
If I was your caring doctor I would recommend:
-- observe carefully if you are doing something that may damage the nerve (look for the path of the nerves online pictures if you wish)...are you overusing the arm? Pressing hands against the table? Doing muscle strengthen exervises for the arm? Working a lot, with repetitive movements with your hand? You need to avoid doing that (if you are able to identify a cause) for some time.
-- Wear a hand splint during night, to keep the hand in neutral position to avoid getting pinched during night...happens sometimes.
-- Take a painkiller to help with the pain and lower inflamation (Ibuprofen 400 mg 3 times/day for 2 weeks for example)
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need further clarifications, otherwise please kindly close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Carpal tunnel sundrom affecting one of the nerves
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for using HCM,
What you are describing looks like a nerve problem. There are 3 nerves on the hand, and when one of them is compressed on its normal course, it starts causing tingelling, numbness and coldness sensation. They all pass on the carpal tunel, so the symptoms would depend on who of them has been damaged. The median nerve happen to have problems mostly, so thats why the little finger has no problems in that case.
If I was your caring doctor I would recommend:
-- observe carefully if you are doing something that may damage the nerve (look for the path of the nerves online pictures if you wish)...are you overusing the arm? Pressing hands against the table? Doing muscle strengthen exervises for the arm? Working a lot, with repetitive movements with your hand? You need to avoid doing that (if you are able to identify a cause) for some time.
-- Wear a hand splint during night, to keep the hand in neutral position to avoid getting pinched during night...happens sometimes.
-- Take a painkiller to help with the pain and lower inflamation (Ibuprofen 400 mg 3 times/day for 2 weeks for example)
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need further clarifications, otherwise please kindly close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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