In other cases, surgery may be necessary to create more room for the nerve to pass through the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a type of compression neuropathy. According to the ASSH , a nerve may come under pressure due to an injury, enlarged blood vessels, the thickening of the muscles, or cysts that grow near a nerve.
People can make lifestyle changes to treat mild compression neuropathy. For example, creating a more ergonomic work station can improve neuropathy that has developed due to movements at work. Physical or occupational therapy may be useful to relieve tight muscles that are compressing nerves. These types of therapy can also teach a person how to avoid causing symptoms in the future. Obesity can also cause compression neuropathy, so losing weight may reduce symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy can cause many different symptoms depending on the nerves that it affects.
These symptoms may include the loss of feeling in the hands. There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy. It can be either genetic, which means that a person inherits it from a biological parent, or acquired.
There are many rarer underlying causes of peripheral neuropathy. A doctor may test for these once they have ruled out the common causes. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy will depend on where the nerve damage occurs and the specific symptoms that the individual is experiencing. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes a person to have pain, numbness, and tingling in various parts of their body. Other common symptoms include:. People who have fibromyalgia are more likely than other people to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
Myofascial pain syndrome MPS is a musculoskeletal problem that can cause pain in the muscles or referred pain in other parts of the body. The ASSH note that it can also cause numbness of the hands and forearms. According to an article in the journal Pain and Therapy , there is limited evidence to support many of the current treatment options for MPS.
The authors suggest targeting the underlying cause of MPS until further research can lead to the development of specific, effective interventions.
Usually the thumb and index, middle or ring fingers are affected, but not your little finger. You might feel a sensation like an electric shock in these fingers. The sensation may travel from your wrist up your arm. These symptoms often occur while holding a steering wheel, phone or newspaper, or may wake you from sleep.
Many people "shake out" their hands to try to relieve their symptoms. The numb feeling may become constant over time. See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome that interfere with your normal activities and sleep patterns.
Permanent nerve and muscle damage can occur without treatment. The median nerve runs from your forearm through a passageway in your wrist carpal tunnel to your hand. It provides sensation to the palm side of your thumb and fingers, except the little finger. It also provides nerve signals to move the muscles around the base of your thumb motor function. Anything that squeezes or irritates the median nerve in the carpal tunnel space may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A wrist fracture can narrow the carpal tunnel and irritate the nerve, as can the swelling and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Many times, there is no single cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. It may be that a combination of risk factors contributes to the development of the condition. A number of factors have been associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Although they may not directly cause carpal tunnel syndrome, they may increase the risk of irritation or damage to the median nerve. These include:. Anatomic factors. A wrist fracture or dislocation, or arthritis that deforms the small bones in the wrist, can alter the space within the carpal tunnel and put pressure on the median nerve.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is generally more common in women. This may be because the carpal tunnel area is relatively smaller in women than in men. Women who have carpal tunnel syndrome may also have smaller carpal tunnels than women who don't have the condition. Workplace factors. This is true when a person is experiencing a stroke, which is when a blood clot or bleeding affects the brain. If you have any of the following symptoms, get medical help immediately:.
If your symptoms start to occur regularly, interfere with your daily activities, or cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort, see your doctor. Your doctor will start diagnosing your finger numbness by taking a medical history and examining your arm, hand, and finger. In some cases, your doctor may recommend you see a medical specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor who specializes in caring for hands, or a neurologist who can test your nerve function.
Doctors commonly order an MRI when a person has finger numbness. This scan helps doctors see areas where bones in the following locations may have slipped out of place:.
Blood tests may also help a doctor diagnose conditions that cause finger numbness, such as RA or vitamin B deficiency. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter OTC medication to reduce inflammation. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Another option is wearing a brace or splint. This will help you keep your elbow or wrist in a good position so that the nerve is less likely to be compressed.
Find braces and splints on Amazon. Steroid injections can help relieve inflammation. Surgery may decrease the nerve damage, or remove or reduce bones that are pressing on the nerve.
These procedures include:. You can also apply ice to the affected area. Exercises to stretch the hand and wrist can also reduce discomfort. Examples include:. Repeat these exercises throughout the day to reduce tension in your muscles. Several causes associated with finger numbness are due to overuse injuries. These occur when a person engages in repetitive motions that can irritate or damage the nerves and cause numbness. Rest can help reduce overuse injuries. You can connect to a physician in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
Usually, the earlier you treat your finger numbness, the less likely the symptoms will be permanent.
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