It is noteworthy that in recent years, there has been an increasing number of patients consulting orthopedic doctors about abnormalities occurring in the hands and requiring rehabilitation and physical therapy, both women and men. Common symptoms include numbness in the hands leading to weakness and difficulty grasping objects, as well as symptoms of trigger finger, where some fingers become stiff and almost immobile, causing severe pain when bending or straightening the fingers.
When asking patients about their history, the answers are often similar: most are people who regularly work with computers. Some have professions such as programmers, graphic designers, accountants. Others include groups of golfers, traditional Thai massage workers, factory workers who repeatedly use their hands to pick up objects for long periods, or cooks who constantly chop meat and vegetables, even housewives who do laundry and scrub floors requiring frequent twisting of clothes.
Let’s take a look at how these symptoms occur. If anyone is starting to experience them, they can be alert and seek treatment before the symptoms worsen.
Numb Hand Syndrome from Nerve Compression
Numb hand syndrome occurs when the nerve passing through the wrist is compressed. This nerve runs from the arm to the wrist to receive sensation in the hand by passing through the wrist area and through the ligaments that hold the wrist. There are several causes that can compress this nerve, resulting in numbness in the hand along with pain radiating to the forearm or upper arm. Some people experience weakness in the affected hand, making it difficult to grasp objects. If left untreated, the muscles at the base of the thumb may atrophy compared to the other hand. This condition is more common in women than men, typically occurring between the ages of 30-60.
What Causes Nerve Compression?
Anything that causes swelling and irritation of the synovial membrane around the tendons can compress the nerve. For example, frequent trauma to the wrist area such as using a grass cutter, screw driver, holding a tennis racket or golf club, wrist fractures or dislocations, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy, and hormonal changes during menopause all increase the risk of developing this condition.
If You Have the Following Early Symptoms… You Should Consult a Specialist
- Numbness and tingling sensation in the hand, especially at night, which may be related to sleeping posture and after using that hand.
- Decreased sensation, particularly in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger, causing difficulty in grasping objects.
- A sharp or electric shock-like sensation when tapping on the wrist where the nerve passes. These symptoms worsen in people who bend their wrist towards the forearm for 1 minute. Prolonged nerve compression can cause muscle atrophy in the palm area near the thumb.
Treatment for Numb Hand Syndrome from Nerve Compression
If symptoms are mild, the following treatments may be used:
- Wearing a wrist splint at night to prevent wrist bending during sleep and help reduce swelling of the synovial membrane and inflamed tendons, which cause nerve compression.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication.
- If symptoms worsen, the doctor may recommend steroid injections into the area where the nerve passes. This medication spreads to the synovial membrane and inflamed tendons, reducing swelling and nerve compression. The amount of medication used is small and not seriously harmful.
These treatments are effective when the nerve is not severely compressed. If symptoms do not improve, surgery may be necessary to remove the fibrous tissue compressing the nerve. After surgery, symptoms improve, with reduced pain and numbness, but may not completely disappear immediately and require some time for recovery.
Dr. Siraphat Phopuk
Dr. Kobsak Udomdej
Orthopedic Surgery Specialists
Dr. Thaninith Chotanaputi
Specialist in Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery
Muscle, Bone, and Joint Center Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
