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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness Or Tingling In The Hands?

Hi for about a year and a half I have been suffering with tingling fingers numbness in my hand and sometimes I can t grab hold of things properly I ve went to my doctors in January and he referred me to the hospital but I m still waiting to go see them I have no idea as to what it could be it is really irritating
Wed, 20 May 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Health Care Magic.

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

Our hand, like all other parts of the body, is being supplied by a set of nerves, which carry sensations as well as messages to carry commands to our muscles to act accordingly.

The kind of symptoms you shared relate to the areas supplied by Radial, Ulnar or median nerves. Also the kind of tingling on thumb and lateral surface of hand reflects the involvement of radial nerve and those at the medial surface aka other 3 and half fingers are being supplied by the ulnar nerve. The motor supply to all the muscles is also by same set of nerves which when interfered may lead to tingling or tremors or inability to maintain postures but your symptoms are more likely of the sensory origin.

Although it is very rare, to have a skeletal deformity or mechanical damage to the nerve without having any history of fall, fracture, trauma or intervention done to the arm as it can often get affected at some sites which are more vulnerable then others, like in the radial groove, where radial nerve wraps around the humerus bone. Ulnar nerve gets pressed at back of elbow. Median nerve if gets compressed in front of wrist is called a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Don't get confused by the heavy names and nomenclature. Most of these conditions are reversible and curable. In such case you would need to have detailed examination by an orthopediacian after relevant radiographs.

If you track down the nerve supply of your hand, it actually originates from the cervical spine, where any disc prolapse or postural variations may cause a direct compression at a fine network of all the nerves supplying the hand called brachial plexus. In that you would need to have an Xray cervical spine with AP and lateral view, and a use of neck collar and physiotherapy.

Though mono-neuritis or the involvement of a single nerve is a rare symptoms of some infective disorders. If symptoms increase then you should have the baseline screening of the blood along with a detailed evaluation with a neurologist to consider more technical studies confirming peripheral nervous system patency with nerve conduction studies, EMGs and LP for oligocolonal bands in case of severe symptoms involving other parts as well to rule oute GBS.

At the moment first thing, you need to do is to go to the ER of your relevant health care facility, and discuss all the issues with your doctor and let him decide which specialty to be considered first, for a further opinion.

I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion

Regrads.

Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin
M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)
Resident Medicine.
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What Causes Numbness Or Tingling In The Hands?

Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic. Thanks for writing. I am Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin. I have read your question completely, I understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible. Our hand, like all other parts of the body, is being supplied by a set of nerves, which carry sensations as well as messages to carry commands to our muscles to act accordingly. The kind of symptoms you shared relate to the areas supplied by Radial, Ulnar or median nerves. Also the kind of tingling on thumb and lateral surface of hand reflects the involvement of radial nerve and those at the medial surface aka other 3 and half fingers are being supplied by the ulnar nerve. The motor supply to all the muscles is also by same set of nerves which when interfered may lead to tingling or tremors or inability to maintain postures but your symptoms are more likely of the sensory origin. Although it is very rare, to have a skeletal deformity or mechanical damage to the nerve without having any history of fall, fracture, trauma or intervention done to the arm as it can often get affected at some sites which are more vulnerable then others, like in the radial groove, where radial nerve wraps around the humerus bone. Ulnar nerve gets pressed at back of elbow. Median nerve if gets compressed in front of wrist is called a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. Don t get confused by the heavy names and nomenclature. Most of these conditions are reversible and curable. In such case you would need to have detailed examination by an orthopediacian after relevant radiographs. If you track down the nerve supply of your hand, it actually originates from the cervical spine, where any disc prolapse or postural variations may cause a direct compression at a fine network of all the nerves supplying the hand called brachial plexus. In that you would need to have an Xray cervical spine with AP and lateral view, and a use of neck collar and physiotherapy. Though mono-neuritis or the involvement of a single nerve is a rare symptoms of some infective disorders. If symptoms increase then you should have the baseline screening of the blood along with a detailed evaluation with a neurologist to consider more technical studies confirming peripheral nervous system patency with nerve conduction studies, EMGs and LP for oligocolonal bands in case of severe symptoms involving other parts as well to rule oute GBS. At the moment first thing, you need to do is to go to the ER of your relevant health care facility, and discuss all the issues with your doctor and let him decide which specialty to be considered first, for a further opinion. I hope this answered your question.If you have more queries I am happy to answer. Otherwise rate before closing the discussion Regrads. Dr.Saddiq ul Abidin M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician) Resident Medicine.