Numbness of the fingers is a complete or partial loss of sensation in the entire hand or individual fingers, which can be on one or both hands. The correct name is hypoesthesia. This symptom occurs in many neurological disorders, but also occurs in healthy people.
Each peripheral nerve has a motor and a sensory part. Irritation or damage to sensory fibers of any nature - mechanical, tumor, inflammatory, autoimmune - causes a disorder in the form of numbness, burning, tingling.
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In a healthy person, numbness in the fingers of the hand – most often the right one – occurs due to constant overload of the hand muscles. This happens to pianists, hairdressers, programmers, and sometimes to massage therapists and cosmetologists. Sometimes the hands go numb during sleep, when a person lies on his side for a long time with his hand placed under his body. In all these cases, numbness is caused by a temporary disruption of blood flow in the arm due to mechanical compression of blood vessels and nerve trunks. Numbness is often accompanied by a burning sensation or a crawling sensation, but all this quickly passes after the limb returns to its normal physiological position.
Provoking factors
A completely healthy person rarely experiences numbness; they may indicate a hidden pathology in the form of:
- consequences of injuries;
- various diseases of the spinal column;
- joint inflammation;
- degenerative or destructive diseases of the cartilage and ligaments of the hand;
- nervous and mental disorders;
- persistent decrease in blood pressure;
- diseases of the endocrine glands.
There are currently no clear scales that determine the severity of hand numbness. If the unpleasant sensations bother you from time to time and go away after simple movements or rubbing, then you hardly need to worry. However, in case of frequent repetition of numbness, when it happens several times a week or the discomfort increases, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, as this may be the beginning of the disease.
Diseases in which numbness of the hands is a symptom
These are conditions such as:
- rheumatic diseases of the joints of the fingers;
- osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, which also causes coordination problems, headaches, and limited movement of some muscles of the shoulder girdle, which is caused by bone growths or osteophytes;
- vertical and horizontal protrusions (hernias) of the intervertebral disc;
- thrombosis of blood vessels of the hand or finger;
- multiple sclerosis, in which the myelin sheath of the nerve is destroyed and the central nervous system is affected;
- carpal tunnel syndrome or another type of tunnel syndrome, when a nerve is compressed in a bone or muscle-ligamentous tunnel;
- metabolic disorders caused by diabetes mellitus;
- anemia or anemia, when tissues lack oxygen;
- inflammation of the brachial nerve plexus;
- various inflammatory processes of hand tissues, aseptic or purulent;
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, when at the onset of the disease some patients interpret increasing weakness in the arm as “numbness”
- disturbance of blood flow in the brain - in fairness, it must be said that in this case, movements, vision, speech are also most often impaired, but this is also one of the common reasons why the fingers suddenly go numb;
- Raynaud's syndrome, developing as a result of vibration or genetically determined, when numbness is accompanied by pallor, turning into cyanosis, and then into redness of the skin of the hand
- alcohol intoxication, in which the hands become numb like “gloves”, which is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves;
- diphtheria, which, thanks to universal vaccination, occurs easily and in an erased form; one of the manifestations may be polyneuropathy.
Numbness of the fingers may be the reason for a clinical examination, which will eventually reveal the truth. Modern diagnostic equipment makes it possible to give a preliminary conclusion already during the first day of the examination, or at least significantly narrow the range of the diagnostic search.
Numbness of each finger has its own characteristics. Since the branches of three main nerves are responsible for the innervation of the skin of the hand.
Solutions
Depending on the cause of numbness, treatment of the underlying disease is carried out. Restoration of tissue trophism and resumption of vascular function occurs with the help of physiotherapy. They act on the limbs with ultrasound, electrophoresis, and laser beams. Physical therapy will relieve tissue hypoxia in the hand.
It is necessary to perform gymnastics every day for people in professions that cause tension in the hands and fingers. In the morning, during breaks, in the evening:
- clench and unclench fingers;
- shake with relaxed hands;
- roll a ball or ball between the palms;
- squeeze the massage ball in your hands.
Lifting and lowering the limbs while lying in bed helps restore blood circulation. Manual therapy is effective. Carrying out from 1 to 5 sessions, relieve tension in the cervical and thoracic spine. Acting on certain points of the body, they are relieved of dysfunction of the costovertebral region and shoulder joint.
What can you think about when different fingers are numb?
All fingers on the hand are innervated differently, and by the characteristics of unpleasant sensations one can indirectly judge what caused the disease.
The first or thumb on the palmar surface is innervated by the median nerve, most often irritation is caused by compression or compression. People who constantly load this finger suffer - watchmakers, pianists, jewelers.
In some cases, the cause is a benign tumor that mechanically compresses the nerve. This may be a neurofibroma arising from supporting or glial nerve cells, or a hemangioma, the source of which was capillaries.
People who constantly carry heavy bags or grip handlebars excessively may develop stenotic transverse ligamentosis. This is a condition in which the ligaments lose their natural elasticity, become stiff and stop stretching. The result is the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome with damage to the median nerve.
The index finger and thumb on the dorsal surface are innervated by the radial nerve. Impaired sensitivity in them may be a manifestation of inflammation of the epicondyles of the humerus or epicondylitis, or compression of the radial nerve in the area of the humerus.
You should consult a doctor if numbness lasts longer than 5 - 10 minutes, does not go away after kneading and straightening the hand, and repeats several times during the week.
The middle finger of the hand is partly innervated by the median and partly by the ulnar and radial nerves - its numbness is accompanied by a feeling of “twisting” of the entire palm, similar to calf cramps. Sensory disturbances also appear in this finger when carpal tunnel syndrome occurs, when the transverse ligament presses the nerve too much against the bones of the wrist. Loss of sensitivity is noticeable more often at night, it becomes difficult to hold objects, and shaking the hand stops the discomfort. It seems to a person that the brush has become heavier and thicker. Sometimes swelling does occur.
Often, numbness of the finger occurs in people who are constantly exposed to hypothermia, when they develop inflammation of the inner wall of blood vessels or endarteritis.
The fourth and fifth or ring and little fingers are innervated by the ulnar nerve. The habit of constantly leaning on the elbow, as well as working with trays and daily overload of the wrist contribute to the damage. In men, numbness of these fingers may be the first sign of contracture due to degeneration of the aponeurosis or tendon plate of the palm. Unpleasant sensations in these fingers cannot be ignored, since if the ulnar nerve is damaged, contracture or immobility can form in the joints of the fingers.
Fingertips - it is most difficult to determine why the tips become numb, since the number of reasons is large. This is a violation of the blood supply in the cervical spine, caused by the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque, iron deficiency, the onset of diabetes mellitus, and inflammation of the pancreas. This is inflammation and degeneration of the finger joints, Raynaud's syndrome, venous insufficiency and thrombophlebitis that complicates it. These are chronic stresses and acute traumatic experiences that happen in the life of every person. These are arterial hypertension or vascular hypotension, chronic poisoning, harmful working conditions.
Preventive actions
Prevention of the development of conditions and diseases leading to loss of sensitivity in the fingers and hands includes recommendations:
- The right choice of clothing - items with narrow sleeves are excluded from the wardrobe. Gloves must be made without synthetic additives and must not pinch fingers.
- When working with a monotonous hand position, gymnastic exercises are recommended. They are carried out every hour, for five minutes.
- Getting rid of alcohol and nicotine addiction - both bad habits provoke vasoconstriction and poor blood circulation. Physical activity, lifting heavy objects and carrying a bag on the fingers of one hand should be supervised.
- Changing the usual diet - healthy elements should predominate in the products, especially subgroup B vitamins. The daily menu includes fermented milk products, liver, chicken eggs, seafood, and fish.
- Any inflammatory and infectious diseases should be treated in a timely manner. Joint damage can result in arthritis.
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Changes in your work and rest schedule - getting enough sleep, breaks from work, long walks in the fresh air and reasonable exercise will help prevent problems with blood flow in the upper extremities.
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Novikova Larisa Vaganovna
Neuropathologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, doctor of the highest category
Experience 39 years
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Pankov Alexander Rostislavovich
Neurologist
40 years of experience
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Diagnostics
Conducted individually, the search begins with excluding the most dangerous conditions. According to indications, the following studies may be prescribed:
- Electroneuromyography (ENMG of the upper extremities)
- duplex scanning of arteries and veins of the upper extremities
- X-ray of the cervical spine
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, brain, joints
- blood chemistry;
A specific list of diagnostic procedures is determined by the attending physician based on clinical examination data. Sometimes a diagnostic search leads to the discovery of diseases that a person did not even suspect about.
Treatment
Pre-hospital assistance
Patients with non-traumatic numbness of the fingers are advised to limit the load on their hands and take regular breaks when performing minor operations or working at the computer. In case of hypoesthesia caused by occupational hazards, a change of specialty may be required. Victims with injuries to the upper extremities after immobilization with a cast are recommended to maintain an elevated position of the arm. If swelling increases, you should urgently contact a traumatologist.
Conservative therapy
Drug treatment is carried out using drugs from the following groups:
- NSAIDs
. Prescribed during periods of exacerbation of neuropathy, they reduce swelling and reduce the severity of pain. In severe cases of pathology, systemic corticosteroids are added to the treatment regimen. - Vitamins
. For B12 deficiency, the administration of cyanocobalamin is indicated; for B1 deficiency, neuropathies, and other neurological pathologies, pyridoxine and thiamine are recommended. - Calcium antagonists
. Required for patients with Raynaud's syndrome. Increase the lumen of blood vessels. They can be combined with selective serotonin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors. - Antiplatelet agents
. They are used for angiotrophoneurosis, improve peripheral blood circulation, eliminate arterial spasm, and reduce the frequency and severity of ischemic attacks. - Sedatives
. Patients with neurotic disorders are prescribed mild herbal remedies. Antidepressants and tranquilizers are used according to indications.
If the treatment of certain pathologies is ineffective, drug blockades are indicated. Drug therapy is supplemented with phonophoresis, drug electrophoresis, and electromyostimulation. At the recovery stage, massage, manual therapy, and physical therapy are used.
Surgery
The tactics of surgical intervention for numbness due to injuries and diseases of the peripheral nerves is determined by the nature of the process:
- Neuropathy
: removal of tumors of the nerve trunk, neurolysis, decompression. - Traumatic injuries
: plastic or nerve suture. - Plexitis
: removal of cervical ribs, tumors, aneurysms.
The list of surgical techniques for lesions of the brain and spinal structures is very extensive. Open or minimally invasive removal of a disc herniation, stabilizing operations for spinal cord injuries, removal of hematomas and tumors, and vascular interventions are possible.
