If you have symptoms of numbness in your hands, you will first consider cervical spondylosis, which may be caused by the cervical spine. However, many patients have overlooked a common nerve entrapment location, which can also cause numbness and weakness in the fingers.

If you have symptoms of hand numbness , you will first consider cervical spondylosis , which may be caused by cervical vertebra . However, many patients have ignored a more common nerve entrapment location , which is It will also cause numbness and weakness in the fingers.. Today, let’s chat together!

If office workers, manual workers, manual medicine practitioners or musical instrument players aged 30 to 50 years old experience pain, burning or tingling in their fingers, they can don't ignore the problem at their wrists; Especially among female friends around 150 years old, is more common.

What problems in the wrist can cause hand numbness?

There is a carpal tunnel structure in our wrist, which is a pipe surrounded by transverse carpal ligament and carpal bones on the palm. As shown in the picture below, this pipe is like a tunnel on a highway, with an important median nerve and 9 finger tendons running through it.

If there is a problem with the pipeline, the structural tissues running through it will be compressed . Especially once the nerves are compressed, will show pain, numbness, and weakness in the fingers. Such a problem is clinically called " carpal tunnel syndrome " .

The median nerve in the carpal tunnel is a mixed nerve , which has sensory function and can also conduct signals to control muscle movement. Therefore, when pressed, will not only cause finger pain and numbness, but also weakness .

What factors can cause carpal tunnel problems?

There are many factors or causes of carpal tunnel problems, such as wrist fractures due to trauma, dislocation, local lumps ( ganglion cyst, lipoma), and repeated use of the wrist causing swelling of the synovial layer of the ligaments. Or thickening, etc.

Any factor that causes the space in the carpal tunnel to become smaller or the pressure in the carpal tunnel to increase will cause compression of the median nerve and further symptoms. What are the symptoms of

nerve entrapment?

First of all, everyone must understand that the location of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, is more towards the inside of the thumb and above the tendons of the 2nd and 3rd fingers ; this determines the location of the fingers innervated by the nerve, not all fingers are innervated by it.

As shown in the figure below, the median nerve is responsible for the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger on the palm side, and the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the distal region of the ring finger on the back of the hand.

If your problem is carpal tunnel entrapment of the median nerve, you will initially experience wrist discomfort or pain caused by acute injury. Pain As the condition progresses, there will be obvious pain in the thick muscle areas of the thumb, index finger, middle finger and the base of the thumb; especially It worsens when the wrist is bent, when tired, or at night. It can be relieved by shaking or rubbing your hands; the pain can radiate to the arm.

On the palm side of the three fingers innervated by the nerve, there will be obvious finger numbness , tingling, or a feeling of ants crawling on the hand; if the symptoms worsen, the fingers may have difficulty in pinching things, buttoning, or weakness. , if it is more serious, muscle atrophy of the palm will also occur.

How to judge whether the hand numbness is caused by carpal tunnel?

In terms of judgment, it is relatively simple. You can first self-test the following two tests:

. Tap the carpal tunnel

Use your fingers or other things to tap the middle of the palm side of the wrist. If there is an electric shock between the thumb, index finger, and middle finger Numbness or tingling may be a strong suspicion that there is a problem with the carpal tunnel.

. To perform prayer or counter-prayer movements

straighten your fingers, close your palms, and place your forearms in front of your chest in a straight line, similar to the movements during prayer; or place the backs of your hands close together, with your fingers drooping, and your forearms in a straight line in front of your chest. It is similar to the action of reverse prayer; if the thumb, index finger, and middle finger are numb and painful within 1 minute, it is highly suspected that there is a problem in the carpal tunnel.

. Auxiliary examination

If you have symptoms of numbness and pain in your fingers, and after self-examination, you also suspect that there is a problem with the carpal tunnel, and you need further clarification, you can go to the hospital for relevant auxiliary examinations.

① Ultrasound examination

Ultrasound examination of the carpal tunnel can accurately detect factors causing nerve entrapment.

② Electromyography detection

can generally determine whether the problem is at the wrist or above the wrist. It can accurately detect whether the motor conduction velocity and sensory conduction velocity of the median nerve below the carpal tunnel are slowed down.

What are the methods to deal with hand numbness caused by carpal tunnel syndrome?

There are two main methods: conservative and surgical :

Let’s talk about conservative treatment first. The prerequisites are not particularly serious.

1. For friends with obvious symptoms, it is best to reduce the activity of the wrist, and you can find a splint to fix it. It takes about a week on the wrist

2. You can go to the hospital for physical therapy. First, choose ultrasound or ultrashort wave treatment for about 1 week to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Then find a therapist to perform joint release techniques on the wrist.

3. Acupuncture release is also a better method, mainly for the release and decompression of the transverse carpal ligament. Of course, it is best to choose professional personnel to handle it. After all, there are nerves, blood vessels, and tendons in it. If the needle is inserted incorrectly or has been released, Deep and easy to damage other structures.

4. There are also injection treatments. The autologous platelet-rich plasma factor injection, which is currently popular in China, can effectively repair the pain and numbness caused by nerve entrapment.

5. After the above treatment is completed and the symptoms are relieved, don’t forget to strengthen the muscle strength training around the wrist joint .

It is best to talk about surgical treatment. Generally, it is relatively serious and conservative treatment is ineffective. When muscle atrophy in the palm occurs, surgery should be performed as soon as possible.

Conventional surgical treatment is to cut the transverse carpal ligament and relieve the compression of the median nerve. The advantage is complete release, wide range of indications, and is also suitable for secondary cases. The disadvantage is that it is traumatic and painful, and the patient is fearful.

Arthroscopic treatment - small trauma, less bleeding, short operation time, and quick recovery.

Summary

Hand numbness and pain. Many of us will have symptoms. Don’t always think about cervical spondylosis. Nerve entrapment caused by carpal tunnel syndrome is also more common, but is often ignored. I hope everyone pays attention to it. .

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