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What Causes Sudden Numbness In Hand And Inability To Move Wrist?
Question: why would I suddenly lose feeling in hand and cant raise my hand at the wrist
Brief Answer:
Wrist drop.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
If you would have presented to me as an outpatient,I would have examined whether it is wrist part only that you are not able to raise or is there a weakness at the forearm and arm also?Regarding sensations also,I would have examined that sensations above the wrist are normal or not?
Also,please tell how did it start?Gradually or suddenly?This is now for how much duration?
With your one liner history it appears to be a Wrist drop due to 'Radial nerve palsy'.It can be confirmed with Nerve conduction studies and treated accordingly.Oral steroids help in recovery in acute state.
However,to make a true interpretation,I need to know the details as I asked above.It will be better,if you click an image of your wrist and upload it here.
Waiting for your follow-up question.
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Wrist drop.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
If you would have presented to me as an outpatient,I would have examined whether it is wrist part only that you are not able to raise or is there a weakness at the forearm and arm also?Regarding sensations also,I would have examined that sensations above the wrist are normal or not?
Also,please tell how did it start?Gradually or suddenly?This is now for how much duration?
With your one liner history it appears to be a Wrist drop due to 'Radial nerve palsy'.It can be confirmed with Nerve conduction studies and treated accordingly.Oral steroids help in recovery in acute state.
However,to make a true interpretation,I need to know the details as I asked above.It will be better,if you click an image of your wrist and upload it here.
Waiting for your follow-up question.
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
In was a sudden onset and was only in wrist. My arm and fingers moved freely. I just couldn't lift hand from wrist dropped position. I was given a bout of steroids and I can now lift wrist but have lingering weakness and numbness in thumb. I have a history with MS symptoms and was trying to rule that out. I also have cervical disc which are blown. Thank you so much for your help.
I am also concerned that this will return when steroids wear off. Because it was completely debilitating.
I am also concerned that this will return when steroids wear off. Because it was completely debilitating.
Brief Answer:
Nerve conduction studies/MRI Brain and Spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing detailed history.
I have reviewed your medical history. MS and Cervical disc pathology are unlikely to present with isolated wrist drop. However, I would like you to upload here MRI spine images so that I can have a look upon the extent of cervical disc pathology. Also, since you are a known case of MS and are in doubt, you can get a fresh MRI Brain with contrast to see if there are any new demyelinating lesions, and upload here as well.
I would like to again advise here that you should get 'Nerve conduction studies' done for upper limbs as it is essential to rule out isolated nerve palsy here.
Its good that wrist weakness has responded atleast partially to steroids. If it is due to nerve palsy, it should not return back on tapering the steroids. Besides, medicines like pregabalin and methylcobalamin can be taken to enhance recovery. Physiotherapy will play its role as well. PLEASE TAKE MEDICINES UNDER A PHYSICIAN'S GUIDANCE.
Please do the needful and be in follow-up.
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Nerve conduction studies/MRI Brain and Spine.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing detailed history.
I have reviewed your medical history. MS and Cervical disc pathology are unlikely to present with isolated wrist drop. However, I would like you to upload here MRI spine images so that I can have a look upon the extent of cervical disc pathology. Also, since you are a known case of MS and are in doubt, you can get a fresh MRI Brain with contrast to see if there are any new demyelinating lesions, and upload here as well.
I would like to again advise here that you should get 'Nerve conduction studies' done for upper limbs as it is essential to rule out isolated nerve palsy here.
Its good that wrist weakness has responded atleast partially to steroids. If it is due to nerve palsy, it should not return back on tapering the steroids. Besides, medicines like pregabalin and methylcobalamin can be taken to enhance recovery. Physiotherapy will play its role as well. PLEASE TAKE MEDICINES UNDER A PHYSICIAN'S GUIDANCE.
Please do the needful and be in follow-up.
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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