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What Causes Involuntary Movement Of Ring Finger When I Move My Little Finger?
Question: When I curl my pinky down on my dominant hand my ring finger curls and will not move independently. I am able to do it on my left hand. My middle finger curls in too. I am very worried I could be developing a claw hand or something of the like. My worry is that in recent months I was tested for ALS and MS due to muscle twitching. I am going to an ALS specialist in a week for additional testing. I have not lost strength and am able to type and do things I have normally done. Does this sound like the beginning of some frozen hand or claw hand type issue? I have never tried this test before I on myself and I have an extreme heightened awareness at the moment due to the ALS scare. If I hold the pinky down, I can move the other fingers independently. No matter how hard I try, If the pinky is curled in toward my palm, I cannot independently lift the ring finger and that middle ringer remains curled. I am very worried and I will definitely point this out to the specialist. I am just looking for feedback and hopeful reassurance.
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think there is any cause for concern though. It is normal for the ring finger to follow the actions of the pinky one. That is because the flexing action for both fingers is controlled by the same nerve the ulnar nerve. As a result when the nerve sends a command it is the same for both fingers, can't be different, to curl one and not the other (I am not able to do that either, on both hands).
The reason that that is not the same on the other hand is that while the pinky finger is innervated only by the ulnar exclusively, the ring finger is a little mixed, may receive some fibers from the median nerve as well. So depending on how many fibers it gets from the median nerve, their percentage of importance in ring finger action, there can be some degree of independent movement, there are variations between individuals and between hands in the same individual (like in your case), nothing abnormal about that.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I do not think there is any cause for concern though. It is normal for the ring finger to follow the actions of the pinky one. That is because the flexing action for both fingers is controlled by the same nerve the ulnar nerve. As a result when the nerve sends a command it is the same for both fingers, can't be different, to curl one and not the other (I am not able to do that either, on both hands).
The reason that that is not the same on the other hand is that while the pinky finger is innervated only by the ulnar exclusively, the ring finger is a little mixed, may receive some fibers from the median nerve as well. So depending on how many fibers it gets from the median nerve, their percentage of importance in ring finger action, there can be some degree of independent movement, there are variations between individuals and between hands in the same individual (like in your case), nothing abnormal about that.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Wow i cant tell you how much that relieves me. I an scared to pieces over possible Als due to muscle twitches, some cramping Ive had in right hand and now this newly found inability to move the ring finger when my pinky is curled scared me that i might be developing claw hand or lose dexterity. Is there anything i should watch for that would indicate a problem? Thank you so much !
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have helped you feel better.
What you should watch (well not obsessively of course as anxiety is the greatest mimic of neurological disease) is loss of strength and muscle atrophy. Synchronization of movement between ring and pinky fingers is not an issue. ALS usually involves all distal muscles of the region though not one or two fingers in isolation.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have helped you feel better.
What you should watch (well not obsessively of course as anxiety is the greatest mimic of neurological disease) is loss of strength and muscle atrophy. Synchronization of movement between ring and pinky fingers is not an issue. ALS usually involves all distal muscles of the region though not one or two fingers in isolation.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry to bother you - one last question. Upon further examination, the middle digit struggles to come up easily as well, but does. In the resting position, these three fingers are really close together. I realize Im hypervigilant due to the ALS exam upcoming - but would you say this could be the beginning of a problem? In early onset "clawing" would i still be sble to move the digits normally as in typing, etc? Thank you for your time and consideration. I can send pics of it would help.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the late answer. You are welcome to send pics. It is obvious that the claw hand issue worries you very much, but it is not related to the fingers resting close together, it is related to weakness more expressed in a group of muscles than the others and hence resulting in the fingers being flexed.
It is not something which is seen in the early stages, it is seen when the weakness and muscle atrophy is well developed, so again those are what we look for in our clinical exam as they are the first signs. So if there is no weakness during testing for different movements like flexion, extension, spreading the fingers apart etc, there is not much to make one think about the diagnosis of ALS.
So to resume fingers resting too close together are not a typical manifestation of ALS.
Wishing you good health.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for the late answer. You are welcome to send pics. It is obvious that the claw hand issue worries you very much, but it is not related to the fingers resting close together, it is related to weakness more expressed in a group of muscles than the others and hence resulting in the fingers being flexed.
It is not something which is seen in the early stages, it is seen when the weakness and muscle atrophy is well developed, so again those are what we look for in our clinical exam as they are the first signs. So if there is no weakness during testing for different movements like flexion, extension, spreading the fingers apart etc, there is not much to make one think about the diagnosis of ALS.
So to resume fingers resting too close together are not a typical manifestation of ALS.
Wishing you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you do much for the detailed and thoughtful responses! I will possibly send pics later. On the meantime - you have dobe a great job abswering my questions.
Brief Answer:
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome and thank you for your kind words. Hope you will feel better (in the sense of reassured as I don't think you're sick) from now on.
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome and thank you for your kind words. Hope you will feel better (in the sense of reassured as I don't think you're sick) from now on.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do want to run something by you: my blood labs just came back with the b12 at 1010! I am taking the methyl natural active form and dont know why it would be that high? I thought the methyl form would allow me to absorb it as ive had high b6/b12 in past? Is this significant?
Also, my aldolase XXXXXXX from 3.3 to 4.3 - from two months ago? Do you see cause for concern that it went up?
Thank you do much for your feedback.
Also, my aldolase XXXXXXX from 3.3 to 4.3 - from two months ago? Do you see cause for concern that it went up?
Thank you do much for your feedback.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Generally Vitamin B12 is tested for deficiency, not increased levels. Increased levels may be in the setting of some hematologic conditions, liver conditions or heart failure, but I suppose that you have had other tests such as blood count and liver function which have excluded them. I do not think you have heart failure either as you'd have other symptoms. So I am not sure that level is of much significance in your case. The fact you have been taking methyl form of vitamin B12 may be the reason. I am not sure why did you feel the need to take vitamin B12 in any form if you had high levels really. So I would suggest to stop taking it and maybe repeat the test in a month.
As for aldolase that doesn't represent any cause for concern. 4.3 is well inside normal range. Any lab test can change from one measurement to the other, our metabolism is not static, that is why there are reference ranges and not one single value. So no reason to worry (or to repeat the test again).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Generally Vitamin B12 is tested for deficiency, not increased levels. Increased levels may be in the setting of some hematologic conditions, liver conditions or heart failure, but I suppose that you have had other tests such as blood count and liver function which have excluded them. I do not think you have heart failure either as you'd have other symptoms. So I am not sure that level is of much significance in your case. The fact you have been taking methyl form of vitamin B12 may be the reason. I am not sure why did you feel the need to take vitamin B12 in any form if you had high levels really. So I would suggest to stop taking it and maybe repeat the test in a month.
As for aldolase that doesn't represent any cause for concern. 4.3 is well inside normal range. Any lab test can change from one measurement to the other, our metabolism is not static, that is why there are reference ranges and not one single value. So no reason to worry (or to repeat the test again).
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You are great! Thanks!
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thanks!!
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
Thanks!!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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