Fingers numb/tingling

[Catherine]

Hey there

I'm fairly new to the fitness forum and think this message board is one of the best out there. Glad to have found it.

I have been having problems recently with the last two fingers on my left hand being a bit numb and tingly... like mild pins and needles. I'll go the the 12 questions.

1. When did the pain begin?

It's not pain so much as a bit of numbness and tingling. In the past I've woken up and my hands would be asleep, but after moving them around a bit they were fine, however in the last 4 or 5 days I've noticed the pinky and ring finger of my left hand are constantly a bit numb and feel like they are "asleep". This morning I feel like the outside of my forarm is a bit numb too.... General movement is not affected and I haven't noticed any weekness or anything (I am not having problems typing, and I haven't run into problems picking things up)

2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?

I'm thinking that I may have caused it by leaning on my elbow while sitting in my office chair. Since it is such a mild thing I can't pin point a start time.... just now it does not seem to go away with changes of activity.

3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?

Pinky and Ring fingers of left hand - radiates down into outside of palm and back of hand, maybe a bit past wrist to forarm. All along the outside.

4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?

See Above

5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?

Constant

6. What motions make your pain worse?

???Sleeping??? (See Question 12)

7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?

Usually when a body part falls alseep, moving it wakes it up again, but changing position and wiggling the hand around do not seem to be working this time.

8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?

See Above

9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?

See Above

10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?

What can I do to correct this? What type of doctor would be the best suited to address this problem. Chiropractor? Physical Theripist? MD?

11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?

Not that I can recall..... well... I did have a bout where my wrists really hurt for a short time a few years ago after some marathon computer sessions at work. I ended up wearing my rollerblading wrist guards for a few days for relief... that did the trick and that has not happened again. And I've also had a few issues in my right had ... but this is different...

12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?

The numbness does seem to be a bit worse today. I did wake up during the night the whole hand was asleep. I wasn't laying on that side or on top of that arm or anything. I ususlly sleep on my right side so my left arm was free, but I think I was on my back at the time and my arm was across my tummy.

I'm thinking I have pinched a nerve or something, but I have no idea of how to correct it or who might be the best person to go see. I already see a chiro on a regular basis and I've gone in the recent past to a PT for my knees (jumpers knee). What should be my first course of action??

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Catherine

[djroac01]

Catherine,

If you find an answer as to if treatment is necessary or what kind of doctor to see will you please post it in this forum? I would appreciate it. I have had the exact same 2 fingers tingling all weekend, and it was a very intense tingle this morning so I searched google to see what it could be and came across your post.

My symptoms sound almost identical to yours. The only other symptom I can describe is that my nerve (Ulnar nerve?) between my elbow and funny bone on my left hand is much more sensitive to touch than my right one. It produces a mild shooting pain to touch which my right elbow does not.

[Lost Dog]

I have similar problems. It sounds like Ulnal Neuropathy. If so, you're correct that leaning on your elbows can be a cause (or make it worse).

Also, sleeping with your arms tightly folded to your chest can cause the morning numbness.

I saw my GP, who referred me to a Neurologist. The Neurologist checked for nerve damage, which can be caused by letting these things go. Make sure to get checked out.

In the meantime, try not to lean on your elbows. If necessary, set a timer to remind yourself to check your sitting posture/position to be sure you haven't reverted to the leaning.

I also found that I was holding my arms very tightly to my chest (elbows fully bent) when using my PDA/Blackberry. This could be an issue. It's best to keep your arms bent as little as possible.

My doc gave me some soft elbow pads to wear (reversed) at night. They go on the inside of your elbows and make it harder to bend them at night. They sort of work... After a while, I stopped pulling my arms tight. Not sure why. Stress? Did the UN cause some sort of "pain" that encouraged me to draw them tight? Again, not sure.

Your doc might give you some stretches and flossing movements that can help, so don't delay.

[RobLL]

You might want to see my "ulnar nerve" thread in this same section. And I will add that the few other people I talked with who had similar problems never did really discover what caused the condition. Julie had a few suggestions that you might be interested in.

Roland - It sounds like you may have found a better doctor(s) than I did. I did specifically ask my neuro about my sleeping position, arms cramped up against my head. He did not comment. I am going to print out your and Julie's post.

ulnar nerve - esp in fingers

[UConnJulie]

You could have a couple things going on ... could be an ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (cubital tunnel), could be something in your neck impingeing upon the C8 nerve root (less likely), or could be thoracic outlet syndrome.

If it was intermittent and is now constant, you really should be seen by a doctor.

You could see an orthopedist, a sports med doctor, a neurologist, or a GP. If you can see a PT without seeing a doc first that would be fine. I'd probably avoid the chiro.

[Catherine]

Thank you Julie and everyone else who posted their experience!!

I have an appointment with my doc tomorrow and we'll see what she says and take it from there. I'll post my treatment/results so others can follow along.

Today the situation is the same - Julie I agree your first suggestion is most likely the culprit (ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow). I've noticed (now that I am paying more attention to it) that every time I lean on that elbow the tingling gets more intense. Still no pain which is good. I woke up a few times to a tingly hand too - had to change positions several times.

Unfortunatley I can't avoid working on the computer right now as I have an important project I am working on, so I am just trying to watch that I don't rest on that side.

[UConnJulie]

Leaning on the elbow can aggravate the other causes too ...

[Catherine]

I saw my doctor today and to tell you the truth she wasn't that conserned about the problem. She gave the same suggestions of wearing elbow pads backwards at night to keep my arm straight so that I am not stretching the elbow causing more pressure in the area where the ulnar nerve pases through, and of course to avoid leaning on the elbow. She wasn't even ready to prescribe anitinflamatories (sp?) yet, but said I could take advil. (I took some but more because of the headache I was developing).
She really doesn't expect that it will become a major issue requiring surgery, but if it continues long term I will see her again.
It is maybe a little less bother some today, and I have been keeping my left arm tucked into my side while using the computer and raised my arm rests on my chair so I am less likely to lean on it.
Thanks again for to everyone for their help. I appreciate it!

[LisaS]

i had this several years ago - tried rearranging my desk to not lean on that elbow but also but put a keyboard pad under that elbow so if I did put it down it wasn't on the hard desk top but on a bit of padding - I'm weaned to a mouse pad now -
as I recall - it took a few weeks of not irritating it for it to return to normal-like feeling