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What Causes Numbness In The Limbs With Back Pain And Stiffness?
Question: for the past couple months my hands have been going numb or falling asleep feeling but would go away w more movement. Especially when id wake up along w bad back pains, stiff. Hard to get up out of bed . But this past week it has gotten worse plus theres a lot of pain in my fingers and wrist. one minute its cold and the a hot sensation goes thru them. My middle left finger feels like its very tight when trying to bend it , both hands are swollen and cant close my fists completely.iam having troubles now trying to type this its taking me 30 min at least. 4 yrs ago I did break my right arm above the wrist area in both bones. my doc reset it as best she could but had originally thought I should see a spevcialist but I didn't have ins at the time.
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description I would say that the involvement of both limbs accompanied with back pain and stiffness, with symptoms more pronounced in the morning do raise the concern of a rheumatological condition like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Such conditions may also be accompanied with nerve compression like the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome which may be an additional contributor to the symptoms you describe in the hands.
For the diagnosis of such conditions apart from the history and physical exam some tests for inflammatory changes and the presence of some specific antibodies are required, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies being the most basic ones (others may need to be tested as well). So you should contact your doctor so that he can either prescribe the tests himself or refer you to a rheumatologist for that purpose as well as for further management. Nerve conduction tests to see for damage to the median nerve may be considered as well since it is an issue for which surgery (simple procedure with local anesthesia, back home on the same day) may be needed at times.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description I would say that the involvement of both limbs accompanied with back pain and stiffness, with symptoms more pronounced in the morning do raise the concern of a rheumatological condition like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Such conditions may also be accompanied with nerve compression like the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome which may be an additional contributor to the symptoms you describe in the hands.
For the diagnosis of such conditions apart from the history and physical exam some tests for inflammatory changes and the presence of some specific antibodies are required, rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies being the most basic ones (others may need to be tested as well). So you should contact your doctor so that he can either prescribe the tests himself or refer you to a rheumatologist for that purpose as well as for further management. Nerve conduction tests to see for damage to the median nerve may be considered as well since it is an issue for which surgery (simple procedure with local anesthesia, back home on the same day) may be needed at times.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
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
Answered by
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