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What Causes Numbness And Pain At The Tip Of The Thumb Post Injury?
Question: I cut my thumb distal to the last joint of my thumb about a week ago. 1 half of the tip of my thumb has been numb literally since the accident. the wound if virtually healed but there is a spot where if i even slightly touch it it feels like an electric shock... its incredible painful... is there anything that can be done this far down the thumb? will it heal? if i need to see a dr what kind? we have ortho here but no hand surgeons...
Brief Answer:
You should consult a hand surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain after the injury can be related to:
- the injury itself, if it needs more time to heal.
- infection, with local signs like redness and swelling.
- nerve damage.
If a nerve is cut then the proximal part of the nerve tends to reach the distal part at a very slow rate. If the two parts are not very close together (like after being fixed by a hand surgeon!) then the proximal part may form a new nerve tissue that disrespects normal nerve architecture and may be painful.
If your doctor can exclude the first two possibilities then only a hand surgeon can evaluate and perhaps treat your condition. It doesn't sound easy though! The nerves in the fingertips are very small branches that cannot usually be repaired. They may heal by themselves sometimes though... Any injury proximally to the distal interphalangeal joint can and should be repaired.
Please keep in mind that nerve regeneration is a very slow process and it usually takes months before any difference can be seen (or felt actually).
I hope I've helped!
Kind Regards!
You should consult a hand surgeon
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
pain after the injury can be related to:
- the injury itself, if it needs more time to heal.
- infection, with local signs like redness and swelling.
- nerve damage.
If a nerve is cut then the proximal part of the nerve tends to reach the distal part at a very slow rate. If the two parts are not very close together (like after being fixed by a hand surgeon!) then the proximal part may form a new nerve tissue that disrespects normal nerve architecture and may be painful.
If your doctor can exclude the first two possibilities then only a hand surgeon can evaluate and perhaps treat your condition. It doesn't sound easy though! The nerves in the fingertips are very small branches that cannot usually be repaired. They may heal by themselves sometimes though... Any injury proximally to the distal interphalangeal joint can and should be repaired.
Please keep in mind that nerve regeneration is a very slow process and it usually takes months before any difference can be seen (or felt actually).
I hope I've helped!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I can still feel touch even in the most numb parts ... It's just not very sensative ... Do u think that means the two ends of the nerve are close enough together to mend or even that the nerve is not completly severed ? Shouldn't I feel zero sensation if there was no nerve inervation?
Brief Answer:
No innervation, no sensation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
as I've told you the nerves on the fingertip branch and some branches may be damaged while adjacent branches may be intact. Feeling the touch, means that there is functional innvervation, which is obviously good! Feeling the touch also means that there aren't any ends... the nerve has to be intact to transmit the signals. So it is possible the nerve was damaged but not severed.
Kind Regards!
No innervation, no sensation
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
as I've told you the nerves on the fingertip branch and some branches may be damaged while adjacent branches may be intact. Feeling the touch, means that there is functional innvervation, which is obviously good! Feeling the touch also means that there aren't any ends... the nerve has to be intact to transmit the signals. So it is possible the nerve was damaged but not severed.
Kind Regards!
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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