L Hand, tingle in pinky and ring finger

stickey · 05-09-2009, 17:00

Any advice or prior experience for my issue would be greatly appreciated. I want to avoid going to doc/sick call, so i am hoping to find an alternate solution.

I am assuming there is a pinched nerve somewhere between my left wrist and neck. My left pinky and left ring finger will suddenly tingle, then go numb....like their going to sleep. I pinch them and there's no pain regardless of how hard i pinch. They do not loose color so Im not thinking it's necessarily a circulatory issue. Other than not being to grip some weights when working out with alot of strength in the hand, driving, or using the computer, there is no pain or major discomfort....just annoying more than anything.

If it is a pinched nerve, i have gathered from "google" that they often times just go away. Any ideas?

Thanks, Stickey.

Red Flag 1 · 05-09-2009, 18:55

if it worth saying, it will be quoted.

doctom54 · 05-09-2009, 19:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickey

Any advice or prior experience for my issue would be greatly appreciated. I want to avoid going to doc/sick call, so i am hoping to find an alternate solution.

I am assuming there is a pinched nerve somewhere between my left wrist and neck. My left pinky and left ring finger will suddenly tingle, then go numb....like their going to sleep. I pinch them and there's no pain regardless of how hard i pinch. They do not loose color so Im not thinking it's necessarily a circulatory issue. Other than not being to grip some weights when working out with alot of strength in the hand, driving, or using the computer, there is no pain or major discomfort....just annoying more than anything.

If it is a pinched nerve, i have gathered from "google" that they often times just go away. Any ideas?

Thanks, Stickey.

This sounds like a ulnar neuropathy. The ulnar nerve supplies sensation to the 4th and 5th finger (generally, there can be some anatomic variation).
The most common spot for the problem is at the elbow (ulnar groove on the back of the inside edge, AKA "funny bone")
The second is at the wrist, Guyon's Canal.
Here is a good article
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1141515-overview
PM if you have other questions.

Tom

Buffalobob · 05-10-2009, 05:06

When I was training for marathons and running 5-8 miles per day and 15-20 miles on Sunday nights, I wore one of those huge black armored watches with all the functions on it. The watch was somewhat loose on my wrist and made a gentle tapping on on the wrist right where the nerve is. After four or five years of this, there was a slow progressive loss of feeling in those two fingers. Magically, the feeling came back after a few weeks of time when I quit wearing a watch while running.

stickey · 05-10-2009, 05:56

Thanks to everyone and the article was quite interesting and helpful, especially the diagram. I guess I will go sick call sometime this week. I hate going, not for the stigma, but the entire process....half day wasted. I will post an update and hopefully contribute to helping someone else out with a similar issue.

PS: I thought i posted and should have in "General Medical" forum, sorry for posting here if should have been in GM.

alright4u · 05-10-2009, 06:20

Jesus: You thinking bout sick call for that? WTFO.

**Ambush Master** · 05-10-2009, 07:12

I had the same problem, but in both hands. It happened while working under my vehicle by me striking wrenches with the palm of my hand rather than getting out from under and going for a hammer. The doc had me purchase 2 eggs of Silly Putty, combine them and squeeze it like you would a ball. The advantage of the SP over a ball is that it allows for a longer range of motion. This helps to strengthen the muscles and structures of your hand, wrist and forearm, but doing so GENTLY while the nerve mends. Also he had me buy a Left and Right Wrist Brace. Wear the Brace at night when you sleep. It is common to fold your wrist over 90 deg in your sleep and this doesn't help the healing process at all.

You do need to consult with a Doc though to be certain that there aren't other issues.

Take care.
Martin

**The Reaper** · 05-10-2009, 07:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickey

Thanks to everyone and the article was quite interesting and helpful, especially the diagram. I guess I will go sick call sometime this week. I hate going, not for the stigma, but the entire process....half day wasted. I will post an update and hopefully contribute to helping someone else out with a similar issue.

Go to sick call, get it fixed, and get it documented.

Gutting it out or ignoring it will cost you in the long run.

I learned that lesson myself, the hard way.

TR