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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Numbness In Hand And Finger?

Right hand, pinky and outside of ring finger are numb. What can I do to improve that? It s been this way for several months. Broke coracoid bone in left arm in Feb so was in a sling for a long time. Still in PT for left shoulder after surgery. But wondering what I can do to get rid of the numbness. Lois Walters
Fri, 5 Jun 2020
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi,

Those symptoms you describe correspond most likely to a nerve compression. Nerve compression can occur at several sites such as the wrist, the elbow, the shoulder or the neck, so some more precise information on the localization of the tingling sensations might be more helpful (which fingers, palmar or dorsal surface of the hand, inclusion of the forearm or the arm as well, neck pain etc).

A common cause which often includes both hands might be carpal tunnel syndrome, compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing symptoms usually in first 3 fingers, the palm and may include the forearm. Symptoms often more pronounced at night. The next most common cause would be nerve compression in the neck, where symptoms generally are as far up as the neck.

In terms of diagnostic steps, they are the same independently from the affected nerve. A neurological exam is the first step, to identify distribution of symptoms, changes in reflexes, motor strength for individual muscles, information which help localizing the site of damage. Afterwards the next diagnostic step is ENMG (nerve conduction studies and electromyography). If exam suggests source to be in the neck a neck MRI might be needed as well. Management will depend on the affected nerve and the cause.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon
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How To Treat Numbness In Hand And Finger?

Hi, Those symptoms you describe correspond most likely to a nerve compression. Nerve compression can occur at several sites such as the wrist, the elbow, the shoulder or the neck, so some more precise information on the localization of the tingling sensations might be more helpful (which fingers, palmar or dorsal surface of the hand, inclusion of the forearm or the arm as well, neck pain etc). A common cause which often includes both hands might be carpal tunnel syndrome, compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing symptoms usually in first 3 fingers, the palm and may include the forearm. Symptoms often more pronounced at night. The next most common cause would be nerve compression in the neck, where symptoms generally are as far up as the neck. In terms of diagnostic steps, they are the same independently from the affected nerve. A neurological exam is the first step, to identify distribution of symptoms, changes in reflexes, motor strength for individual muscles, information which help localizing the site of damage. Afterwards the next diagnostic step is ENMG (nerve conduction studies and electromyography). If exam suggests source to be in the neck a neck MRI might be needed as well. Management will depend on the affected nerve and the cause. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Iven Romic Rommstein, General Surgeon