One finger is numb

Numbness in the limbs is a health problem that many people will encounter. People who sit in office chairs for a long time and do not exercise regularly are more likely to experience numbness in the limbs. Sometimes this numb feeling is transient, sometimes it lasts for a few days or even a month, and sometimes it lasts for several years. Some people may experience numbness and loss of sensation in one finger. If you experience numbness in your limbs, be sure to find the cause to avoid delaying the treatment.

1. Common diseases that cause numbness and pain in fingers

1. Peripheral neuritis

The peripheral nerves of the fingers may cause inflammatory reactions due to poisoning, infection, vitamin B deficiency, blood supply disorders in the fingers, etc., which may cause numbness and pain in the fingers. Most of the time, the disease occurs on the fingers of both hands at the same time. It can usually be cured after the cause is eliminated. Oral or injection of vitamin B1, acupuncture and other treatments can promote recovery.

2. Ulnar nerve damage

When the ulnar nerve in the forearm and upper arm is injured, compressed, or develops a tumor, it can cause numbness and pain in the little finger and ring finger on the same side and partial finger movement disorders. The ulnar nerve groove at the back of the elbow is more susceptible to injury or compression. Most cases will gradually recover in about half a year after the injury, but if there is a tumor, complete rupture or severe pressure, surgical treatment is often required.

3. Median nerve damage

The median nerve in the forearm and upper arm may cause numbness and pain in the palm, thumb, index finger, and middle finger due to trauma, tumor, compression, etc. The wrist is most vulnerable to injury or pressure, which is called carpal tunnel syndrome. The treatment principles are the same as before.

4. Radial nerve damage

The radial nerve is more susceptible to damage in the middle and lower outer parts of the upper arm, resulting in numbness and pain on the back of the thumb and index finger and drooping of the fingers and wrist. The treatment principles are the same as before.

5. Brachial plexus damage

Lesions or injuries in the axilla or anterior neck may cause mixed symptoms of complete or partial damage to the ulnar, median, and radial nerves. The treatment principles are the same as before.

6. Cervical spondylosis

Due to compression of the cervical nerve roots or cervical spinal cord by cervical vertebrae hypertrophy or cervical disc degeneration and protrusion, numbness and pain in unilateral or bilateral fingers may occur, and gradually develop to the upper arm, forearm, and even upper limb movement disorders.

2. Treatment of finger numbness

No matter what causes the numbness in the fingers, you should first go to the neurology department of the hospital for examination to determine whether the nerves are damaged and what kind of stimulation they have received. If it is a neurological problem, an electromyography examination is required to further confirm the degree, range, and nature of nerve damage. If the numbness of hands and feet is caused by other reasons, then transfer to other related departments for treatment. For numbness of hands and feet caused by nerve damage, the choice of whether to use medication or surgery should be based on the degree, scope, and nature of the nerve damage. Drug treatment is usually combined with acupuncture and physical therapy to promote rapid recovery. Surgical treatment is to divert the compressed nerves through surgery to relieve the compression and stimulation of the nerves. The degree of cure depends mainly on the cause and nature of the neuropathy. If it is peripheral nerve damage (nerves other than the brain and spinal cord), the recovery time is generally longer.