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What Causes Numbness In The Hand And Fingers Of A Diabetic Person?
Question: My father is 92 with pre diabetes but no other major health issues regarding his heart lungs etc. He takes cumadin for his blood and is on a fibre supplement for occasional constipation.
He has numbness in his right hand specifically the thumb and index finger and some numbness in the other fingers but very slight. It prevents him from doing and dextrous activities with this hand. The left hand has only minor numbness. He has had this condition for at least four months but it seems to be getting somewhat worse. He does spend time using a computer with a mouse and he believes this may have something to do with it.
What is his diagnosis and treatment alternative?
He does not want to have surgery at his age.
He has numbness in his right hand specifically the thumb and index finger and some numbness in the other fingers but very slight. It prevents him from doing and dextrous activities with this hand. The left hand has only minor numbness. He has had this condition for at least four months but it seems to be getting somewhat worse. He does spend time using a computer with a mouse and he believes this may have something to do with it.
What is his diagnosis and treatment alternative?
He does not want to have surgery at his age.
Brief Answer:
Possible carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description the most likely diagnosis would be carpal tunnel syndrome, due to compression of the median nerve as it transverses the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
Causes can be many, more than one may be at play. Arthritis and local trauma due to the use of the mouse may be two possible causes.
However the diagnosis must be confirmed through nerve conduction studies tests. That is because those symptoms may also be due to other causes such as polyneuropathy, neck radiculopathy etc.
If diagnosis is indeed confirmed management consists in conservatory measures such as wrist splinting, protective pads when working on the computer, frequent breaks, local corticosteroid injections.
If those are not effective then surgery may be considered. I understand that surgery at that age is not desirable, but it is a minor procedure, done by local anesthesia with the patient being back home on the same day.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Possible carpal tunnel syndrome
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Judging from that description the most likely diagnosis would be carpal tunnel syndrome, due to compression of the median nerve as it transverses the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
Causes can be many, more than one may be at play. Arthritis and local trauma due to the use of the mouse may be two possible causes.
However the diagnosis must be confirmed through nerve conduction studies tests. That is because those symptoms may also be due to other causes such as polyneuropathy, neck radiculopathy etc.
If diagnosis is indeed confirmed management consists in conservatory measures such as wrist splinting, protective pads when working on the computer, frequent breaks, local corticosteroid injections.
If those are not effective then surgery may be considered. I understand that surgery at that age is not desirable, but it is a minor procedure, done by local anesthesia with the patient being back home on the same day.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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