Jackson* has experienced hand numbness and tingling various times throughout his life. And, like most people, he has never been too worried about it. For starters, he could always point to a direct cause: holding his phone for too long, excessive computer use at work, poor posture, and even the many times he has fallen asleep awkwardly on his hand or arm. Secondly, the unsettling feeling was always temporary—he would simply shake it off and move on with his day. But Jackson has not been singing that carefree tune lately. For months, what he thought was a temporary bout of hand numbness and tingling has persisted and worsened into a constant, troubling sensation that impacts his daily life.
Naturally, Jackson can’t help but wonder if something serious has happened—though he can’t imagine what it could be. The reality is that he may be correct in his assumptions. While temporary hand numbness and tingling are extremely common and usually nothing to worry about, the symptoms themselves can indicate an underlying issue that needs attention. This is especially true if what was a mild annoyance is now a lingering issue that will not go away.
Do These Symptoms Sound All Too Familiar?
- A sensation of numbness or reduced sensation in the affected area
- A pins-and-needles sensation, also known as paresthesia
- A burning or prickling feeling in the affected area
- Weakness or loss of muscle control in the affected area
- Difficulty moving the affected area
- Reduced or increased sensitivity to touch, temperature, or vibration
- Pain or discomfort in the affected area
Why Is My Hand Numbness and Tingling Not Going Away?
Hand numbness and tingling can be unsettling when it will not go away, and you are not sure what is causing it. The first thing to know is that you are not alone. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, millions of Americans suffer from these afflictions for months, years, or indefinitely, depending on the severity of their situation and the exact cause. There are a variety of conditions, disorders, injuries, and underlying diseases that cause numbness in the hands. Below are just a few of what can be diagnosed and treated at Fort Worth Hand Center.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — This is a common hand condition where the median nerve becomes pinched at the wrist. As a result, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome experience numbness in fingers, tingling, and burning or shooting pains along the hand, wrist, or forearm. Most people typically only experience thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers symptoms on one hand. But it can affect both hands.
- Nerve Entrapment — Conditions such as Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (also known as ulnar nerve entrapment), in which the ulnar nerve on the inside of the elbow is injured and becomes inflamed, irritated, or swollen, can lead to hand numbness, tingling, and weakness on the pinky finger side and the back of the hand on the pinky side.
- Sprains, Strains, and Fractures — A sprain is the partial tearing or overstretching of ligaments. Strains are the overstretching and tearing of muscles and tendons, such as overexerting yourself by lifting heavy weights at the gym with your hands and wrists. Fractures are a fancy term for a broken wrist due to sudden impact or trauma. In each case, the symptoms can include bruising, swelling, weakness, inability to move the wrist, and numbness in fingers.
- Fibromyalgia — Patients with this condition experience pain, numbness, and tingling in various parts of their body. Interestingly enough, people with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis — Researchers estimate that by 2040, roughly 78.4 million adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. One of the most common types is rheumatoid arthritis, where your body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This special lining produces fluid to help the joint move smoothly. Without it, your joints will quickly feel painful and tender. Another symptom is pins-and-needles sensations.
- Ganglion Cyst — These are lumps that appear on the tendons or joints of the wrist and hands. They are noncancerous and usually painless. But depending on your specific case, there is a likelihood that it could limit your ability to move your wrist. It could also press on a nerve and either cause pain or hand numbness.
- Peripheral Neuropathy — This refers to the many conditions that damage the peripheral nervous system, whether due to diabetes, injuries, alcohol, or other causes. More than 20 million people in the United States are estimated to have some form of it. While treatable and not life-threatening, peripheral neuropathy can’t be completely cured, and symptoms can range from mild to disabling.
Do I Need an Orthopedic Surgeon for Hand Numbness and Tingling?
You will likely need to visit with an orthopedic surgeon if your hand numbness and tingling will not go away. More importantly, you will want to schedule a visit if the numbness is accompanied by pain, loss of hand function, or muscle weakness. Many of these symptoms will worsen over time and could be a sign of a progressive condition. That said, sudden hand numbness with other symptoms could signify a medical emergency.
It is important to note that experiencing these and other hand numbness and tingling symptoms does not mean you will need surgery. You will be happy to know conservative treatment options are typically explored first. This can include stretching and physical therapy, medications, limiting stress on the affected area, injections, and alternate therapies such as chiropractic care and acupuncture to reduce symptoms and improve physical function.
If your injury or chronic hand numbness does not respond to continued treatment and therapy, surgery may be the best option. The good news is that arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive. Orthopedic surgeons trained in using a camera and miniaturized instruments the size of a pencil perform it every day. Video-assisted equipment during the procedures gives your physician higher visualization and magnification of the internal structures. This allows for a more accurate internal damage assessment and more focused surgical precision.
As a result, procedures are shorter and more precise, require smaller incisions, and promote faster recovery with less post-operative pain because there is less damage to surrounding tissue and other areas.
Arthroscopic surgery still requires anesthetics, and the procedure is performed in a hospital operating room or outpatient surgical suite. But in most cases, patients can return home the same day.
Got Hand Numbness and Tingling? Call Fort Worth Hand Center Today
Hand numbness and tingling are no laughing matter. More often than not, we can point to a specific benign cause that’s temporary and will resolve on its own. However, that is not always the case—especially if you have an underlying condition or specific injury that has led to chronic numbness. This is where visiting with an orthopedic surgeon at the Fort Worth Hand Center can help.
With the many innovations in orthopedic care, patients can look forward to regaining full use of their hands and enjoying a better quality of life. If surgery is your best treatment, our orthopedic physicians operate in state-of-the-art, accredited surgery centers. Our expert care provides patients with the potential for maximum recovery.
To schedule an appointment, call 817-877-3277 or complete the form below. We care about our patients and strive to provide the best care.
Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Fort Worth Hand Center serves the DFW area, including Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, White Settlement, Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Euless, Everman, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Willow Park, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, Mansfield, Newark, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, and all of North Texas.