Elbow pain and finger numbness

Why does the little finger on my right hand always go numb?

A common culprit in the development of numbness in this case is overexertion. Most people are right-handed, and carpal tunnel syndrome occurs on the right side. Compression of the median nerve occurs in seamstresses, programmers, and sign language interpreters, whose work involves small, monotonous movements.

In second place is cervical osteochondrosis, in which most often the little and ring fingers on the hand go numb . Inflammation of the spinal root leads to disruption of the innervation of the upper limb.

The third is vascular disorders. This is a blockage of the lumen of small vessels by a thrombus, cholesterol plaque (with atherosclerosis), spasm.

On the fourth - damage to the ulnar nerve due to neuritis.

Other root causes of paresthesia:

• fresh and old injuries;
• metabolic disorders;
• hypo- and vitamin deficiencies;
• neoplasms.

Numbness of the little finger of the right hand

Numbness in the little finger of the right hand may indicate compression neuropathies or cervical osteochondrosis.

In any case, numbness should not be taken lightly, as it does not cause severe discomfort to the patient compared to pain. Numbness of the little finger may be the first, and often the only sign of the development of a serious disease that threatens the patient’s life.

Causes

When considering numbness of the little fingers, we will consider the objective numbness that was identified during examination. The main reasons are as follows:

• Vitamin deficiency;
• Compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve;
• Metabolic disease;
• Autoimmune diseases;
• Atherosclerotic plaques;
• Thrombosis;
• Polyneuropathy of various origins;
• Tumors;
• Infectious processes;
• Poor peripheral circulation due to incorrect hand position during work or sleep;
• Injuries to the hand and little finger;
• Rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases;
• Strokes.

Accordingly, it cannot be said that only treatment related to numbness of the little finger is carried out. This requires an integrated approach, which includes searching for the cause, examining the body, selecting physiotherapeutic methods, drug therapy, surgical intervention, as well as preventive measures.

Why does the little finger on my left hand go numb?

Paresthesia on the left requires special attention. They can be a sign of cardiovascular pathologies: angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and stroke. These conditions are accompanied by concomitant symptoms, but there are also isolated cases when only the little finger on the left hand goes numb , and then the clinical picture unfolds.

Etiological factors also include osteochondrosis, local ischemia and other pathologies listed for the corresponding finger on the opposite side.

When to seek help from doctors

Unfortunately, many people underestimate the danger of poor circulation. Specialists note that swelling, pain in the elbow and numbness in the hand may be the body’s first warning signs of a sharp deterioration in the condition of the heart and blood vessels, which means an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

You should consult your doctor if:

• What to do if your elbow hurts and your hand goes numb

• unpleasant sensations occur only in the left hand;
• numbness affects other parts of the spine (neck, chest);
• discomfort does not go away for a long time.

It is very important to exclude thrombosis and other diseases characterized by blockage of blood vessels.

What causes the little fingers on the hands to go numb: reasons

Bilateral, symmetrical damage is possible with:

• degenerative-dystrophic lesions of the spine;
• metabolic and autoimmune diseases: diabetes, scleroderma;
• spasm of microcirculatory vessels;
• anemia;
• alcoholic polyneuropathy;
• infections of the nervous system.

When both little fingers on the hands go numb, the reasons may be inflammatory damage to the cartilage and articular structures. These are osteoarthritis, tendovaginitis, myofascial syndromes that affect the membrane covering the muscles. This list includes rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, consequences of a fracture of the radius, and tendon sprains.

When the little and ring fingers on the hand go numb , this is a characteristic sign of radiculitis, protrusion or herniated intervertebral disc. The root cause may be cardiac ischemia, but then discomfort appears at night, and the unpleasant sensations spread to the inner side of the forearm. This symptom also occurs with hypothyroidism, a decrease in thyroid function.

The choice of therapy depends on the diagnosis. Treatment comes down to eliminating the underlying disease and local effects: applying ointments, physiotherapeutic procedures. Electrophoresis, amplipulse, laser, and magnetic therapy are recommended. Medicines used include analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants. Drugs that improve blood microcirculation are indicated.

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.

Carrying out diagnostics

When visiting your doctor, it is important to describe in detail all the symptoms and signs of discomfort in your hand. A detailed description of numbness will help to conduct a proper examination and make an accurate diagnosis.

If the right little finger and ring finger are numb, then it is best to pay increased attention to the functioning of the heart muscle. In the morning, the patient has a tingling sensation on one side. The main symptoms appear later: the little finger and ring finger go numb at night.

1. A feeling of numbness in the middle finger indicates a lack of certain vitamins in the body. In this case, experts advise completely changing your diet, and, if possible, going to see an endocrinologist.
2. If the index finger of the left hand is numb, it is important to pay attention to possible narrowing of blood vessels or the presence of diseases in the cervical spine.
3. Is the little finger and ring finger of your left hand going numb? The cause may be osteochondrosis. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is important to see a doctor. If you have osteochondrosis, you need to start treatment immediately, as the condition can quickly worsen.
4. The ring finger on the right hand may lose sensitivity due to excessive fatigue. In this case, it is best to just rest. This often happens to women who do any kind of needlework.
5. Numbness in the middle finger of the right hand requires the help of an orthopedist. In most cases, this symptom indicates damage to the elbow joint.
6. Numbness of the thumb on the right hand indicates the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
7. When there is numbness in the little fingers on both hands, it is immediately important to pay increased attention to the functioning of the internal organs and systems.
8. The two thumbs lose sensation if any of the problems described are present. If, against the background of numbness, the patient has impaired fine motor skills, an unsteady gait, or weakness, then it would be best to undergo examination in the neurological department.
9. If the little finger and ring finger on both hands become numb, this indicates a complication of cervical osteochondrosis. It is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner.

Causes of numbness in fingers during sleep and while awake

Complete and partial numbness of the fingers and toes can be short-term or long-term, occurring during sleep and while awake. Regardless of what the true causes of numbness in the fingers during sleep and wakefulness are, their regularity requires the provision of qualified medical care. If this condition was provoked by physical factors, then medical attention will not be required, and in the event of a pathology developing, the symptom of which is numbness of the fingers, the person will have to undergo a course of drug therapy.

Causes

Why do my fingers go numb at night? Most often this is due to physical factors: a person either sleeps in an uncomfortable position or puts his hand under his head. The blood vessels are squeezed and the hand becomes numb. When you change your position and rub your fingers, the numbness gradually gives way to tingling and disappears.

If the middle finger on the right or left hand goes numb, this may be due to the person’s professional activity. This is typical for those who work at a computer for a long time (typing or actively moving the mouse) or perform monotonous work in production.

Why do my fingertips go numb and tingling? This phenomenon may be present in advanced osteochondrosis, constantly elevated blood pressure, and circulatory failure. In case of regularly recurring numbness in the fingertips, accompanied by neck pain, headache and slight dizziness, you should definitely consult a therapist. These reasons can become dangerous not only to health, but also to human life. For example, persistent high blood pressure can trigger a hypertensive crisis or hemorrhagic stroke.

In case of spinal injuries or displacement of intervertebral discs, accompanied by pinched nerve endings, discomfort will be present in a specific part of the upper limb. What to do when your arm goes numb from the elbow to the fingers? Straighten your back, rub your neck from the numb side and the limb itself. If pain occurs in a numb area of ​​the arm, you can use a cold compress or a heating pad with ice. But the listed measures are considered emergency and do not eliminate the need to urgently visit a doctor for examination.

The phenomenon in question can occur not only during sleep, but also at the height of the working day. For example:

• the little finger and ring finger are numb – there is a pathological process in the muscular system of the spine or heart problems;
• the middle phalanx of any finger becomes numb in the event of a rupture, sprain or dislocation of the elbow joint or wrist;
• numbness of the thumb means the presence of pathological changes in the structure of the tissues surrounding the wrist or elbow joint;
• index fingers go numb – arthritis or arthrosis of the elbow joint progresses, the process is accompanied by pain.

Numbness of the fingers can also occur due to diabetes mellitus, stagnation of venous blood, and chronic pancreatitis. In any case, a regularly occurring feeling of numbness in the fingers should be the reason for a visit to a therapist, who will most likely refer the patient for additional examination to specialized specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist). On our website Dobrobut.com there is enough information to figure out: fingers go numb and hurt - what does it mean, which doctor to contact for help, what can be done at home.

Why do my big toes go numb?

Numbness of the fingers of the lower extremities can be caused by physiological and pathological reasons. Many people experience this sensation when wearing tight shoes or in an uncomfortable sitting position (for example, a leg tucked under the buttocks). Such numbness is not pathological and disappears immediately after restoration of blood supply to the numb part. Regularly numb big toes during sleep or in a comfortable position (sitting, lying down) indicate disturbances in venous blood flow. The condition in question is often a symptom of varicose veins of the deep veins of the lower extremities, which must be treated with medications and physical therapy under the supervision of a specialist. Why do my toes go numb at night? The reason is a violation of the blood supply to small vessels. This condition can be corrected, so with the help of drug therapy it is possible to quickly get rid of the problem.

In addition, numbness in the fingers of the lower extremities can be caused by problems in the functioning of the heart, which is fraught with the most serious consequences, including heart failure and death.

What diseases cause pain in the elbow and numbness in the hand?

The most dangerous condition is considered to be one in which discomfort most often occurs on the left side of the chest. In this case, you must immediately call an ambulance. Doctors must rule out a pre-infarction condition.

In addition to the cardiovascular system, other parts may also be affected. Most often, the described symptoms affect the spine and nerve endings.

1. Rheumatoid arthritis provokes an inflammatory process that can manifest itself as pain in the elbow and numbness in the hands.
2. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine causes disturbances in the functioning of the circulatory system. Intervertebral discs do not receive enough nutrients and oxygen and are gradually destroyed.
3. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accelerated formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. The lumen decreases, and interruptions in blood flow begin.
4. Neoplasms in the brain or spinal cord. Fortunately, such diseases are diagnosed quite rarely. The tumor compresses the nerve endings, causing discomfort.
5. Raynaud's disease can be determined after a hardware examination. The elbow hurts and the hand goes numb due to pathological damage to small vessels.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight tunnel syndrome. This disease develops during prolonged work at the computer. Symptoms of the pathological condition occur when the nerve responsible for wrist movements is compressed.

Pinched nerve

The ulnar nerve fibers run along the inner forearm and then pass through a tunnel, which is otherwise called Guyon's canal. It is through the little finger that the nerve enters the hand. When a nerve is pinched in the elbow area or when carpal tunnel syndrome occurs, the sensitivity of the little finger is greatly deteriorated. Increased stress on the nerve in Guyon's tunnel can be caused by diseases of the blood vessels, tumor processes, arthritis and cystitis. All this leads to the fact that the fingers on the hand go numb: the little finger and the ring finger.