Numbness in fingers

Introduction The sensory nerve of the finger is distributed by the nerve roots separated from the cervical spinal cord to the hands and fingers due to poisoning, infection, vitamin B1 deficiency, finger blood supply disorders, etc., causing an inflammatory reaction, which can cause finger numbness. The sensory nerve of the finger is divided into the nerve root by the cervical spinal cord, and the brachial plexus is formed in the cervical sac, and then the sacral nerve, the median nerve, the ulnar nerve, and the like are passed through the upper arm and the forearm, and the nerves are distributed to the hands and fingers. When some parts of the nerve damage, inflammation, tumor, pressure, etc. cause paresthesia, finger numbness occurs.

Cause

The common diseases that cause finger numbness are as follows:

Peripheral neuritis: The peripheral nerves of the fingers cause inflammatory reactions due to poisoning, infection, vitamin B1 deficiency, finger blood supply disorders, etc., which can cause finger numbness. Both hands have symptoms at the same time. The cause can be recovered after elimination. Oral or injection of vitamin B1 or acupuncture can promote recovery.

Ulnar nerve damage: When the ulnar nerves of the forearm and upper arm are traumatized, oppressed, or have tumors, they can cause ipsilateral little finger and ring finger pain and some finger movement disorders. It is more susceptible to injury or compression at the ulnar nerve groove at the back of the elbow. Most of them gradually recover after about half a year after the injury, but if they have a tumor, are completely broken or severely stressed, they often need surgery.

Median nerve damage: The median nerves of the forearm and upper arm often cause pain in the palm, thumb, index finger, and middle finger due to trauma, swelling, or compression. In particular, the wrist is most vulnerable to injury or compression, medically known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Radial nerve damage: the radial nerve in the middle and lower part of the upper arm is also more susceptible to injury, and there may be numbness on the back of the thumb and index finger and sagging of the fingers and wrist.

Brachial plexus injury: A lesion or injury in the axilla or anterior neck that can cause mixed symptoms of full or partial damage to the ulnar, median, and sacral nerves.

Cervical spondylosis: cervical hypertrophy or cervical disc degeneration and other pressure on the neck nerve root or cervical spinal cord, can cause unilateral or bilateral finger numbness, and gradually develop to upper arm, forearm and even upper limb dyskinesia. The right finger is sore, it can develop into an numbness and pain in the entire arm to the shoulder. It is difficult to hold the pen and weave the sweater. However, when the hand is drooping (without force), the finger does not numb or pain, which means the right upper limb. After relaxation, it is not under pressure and the lesions are still light.

an examination

Related inspection

Rheumatoid factor mammography X-ray examination of the little finger flexion test

The proximal knuckle of the finger is involved, there is morning stiffness (the morning finger is stiff, the fist is difficult), the joint stiffness in the morning is long, usually lasts for several hours, and the pain of multiple joints is often symmetrical and migratory. Hand X-ray changes have bone damage. When nerve damage occurs in some areas, inflammation, tumor, pressure, etc. cause paresthesia, finger numbness occurs. More than 40 years old first appears in one or a few fingers, and then, involves other fingers. The diseased joint can be red and swollen and painful.

Differential diagnosis

Finger joint pain:

1. Rheumatoid arthritis

Often the proximal knuckle of the finger is involved, there is morning stiffness (the morning finger is stiff, the fist is difficult), the joint stiffness in the morning is long, usually lasts for several hours, multiple joint pain, often symmetry, migratory Features. Hand X-ray changes have more bone damage. Rheumatoid factor positive.

2 knuckle osteoarthritis

Finger joint pain, swelling, bone growth in the joint - bone spur. It occurs mostly at the knuckles at the end of the finger, and can also occur in the joint between the fingers. Proliferative arthritis is generally older, and more often occurs in one or more fingers over 40 years of age, with the involvement of other fingers. The diseased joint can be red and swollen and painful. Joint stiffness in the morning is more common and can be heavier, but the duration is shorter, less than 20 minutes. X-ray examination showed bone hyperplasia.

3 finger gout

Finger gout is one of the common causes of physical pain in the elderly. In severe cases, the limbs are severely deformed. Many elderly people suffer from gout without knowing it. They mistakenly think that their fingers are uncomfortable.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.