James* has experienced tingling and even numbness in his fingers numerous times throughout his life. And in every case, he quickly dismissed the short-lived phenomenon. After all, you are not going to be concerned over numbness from falling asleep on your hand or leaning on your elbow for too long. Just shake it off and move on with your day. But lately, that typical numbness in fingers sensation has not been going away as quickly or easily. It is also happening more frequently—while typing at work, holding his coffee mug, and even when buttoning his shirt. What he thought was harmless quickly turned into a daily frustration that made him wonder if something bigger was going on.
It is easy to assume finger and hand numbness is a temporary circulation issue. And more often than not, that is going to be exactly what it is. But persistent and worsening numbness in fingers can be a red flag that it is time to listen to your body and seek help from a Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon.
Do You Experience Numbness in Fingers Like This?
- Numbness in one or more fingers that won’t go away
- A dull or complete lack of feeling in your hand
- Tingling, pins and needles sensations
- Difficulty gripping or holding objects
- Numbness that worsens at night, while performing tasks
- Numbness that spreads to your wrist or arm
- Muscle cramps
- Hot and cold sensations
Why Are My Fingers Numb?
When was the last time you went an entire day without using your hands? Probably never, right? We use them for everything—performing daily tasks, holding our loved ones, protecting ourselves, and even for work. So, we are bound to experience pain or discomfort at some point. This includes general numbness and tingling. In fact, surveys show that roughly 20–32% of adults report abnormal hand sensations such as numbness and tingling in population/occupational studies.
If your fingers or hands are constantly numb or tingling, and you have not experienced an obvious injury, it is still most likely going to be because of some type of nerve issue. That is because the nerves in your hand and wrist are like a highway system carrying signals between your brain and muscles. If something compresses, irritates, or damages those nerves, the signals don’t travel the way they should.
The result can be tingling, numbness, weakness, or even pain that radiates into your arm. There is a litany of benign causes of numbness in the fingers, including poor circulation, prolonged pressure on the hands and wrists, and even a pinched nerve. Believe it or not, even cold weather can restrict blood flow to your extremities, causing one or several fingers to tingle or feel numb. In terms of risk factors for finger numbness, people with diabetes, older adults, people who do repetitive wrist/hand work, those who are obese, and women are typically at higher risk.
Surveys show that roughly 20–32% of adults report abnormal hand sensations such as numbness and tingling in population/occupational studies.
A more serious but often treatable condition that can also contribute to numbness in fingers is carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects about 1–5% of the general population. This condition is caused by increased pressure on the median nerve at the wrist and typically occurs due to repetitive hand activities, such as knitting, gardening, typing on a computer, and sports activities. As a result, you may experience a variety of symptoms in your thumb and index, middle, and ring fingers on one or both of your hands. And often, they evolve from being an occasional annoyance where you find yourself “shaking out” the numbness and tingling to pain that leads to hand weakness, debilitating cramping, and more.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of many conditions not to ignore. Here are five more signs of numbness in fingers that mean it is time to stop waiting and schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon:
1. Persistent weakness
It is one thing to have occasional weakness after falling asleep on your hand or after performing the same activity over and over again, such as sewing. But when numbness in fingers causes you to struggle to consistently grip or hold onto things, open jars, or perform even the simplest of tasks, it is a sign that your nerves or muscles may be compromised.
2. Numbness keeps coming back
You should never ignore chronic numbness or numbness and tingling that comes and goes. This is especially true if there appears to be no obvious cause. This is a clear sign that the problem is due to something more serious and likely will not be resolved on its own.
3. Trouble with coordination
From typing out a report for work, to buttoning a shirt and holding a toothbrush, we rely on fine motor coordination every day. If numbness in fingers makes these tasks harder, it is not something to ignore. This could indicate nerve involvement that only worsens without treatment.
4. Numbness appeared after an injury
Many people can’t explain why their fingers are numb. If you can, especially if it involves a recent injury or significant trauma, you should absolutely be evaluated by a Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon. It is quite possible that the injury damaged nerves or blood vessels in your hands, fingers, or wrist, and this is your body’s way of telling you that something is not right.
5. Numbness impacting both sides of your body
Perhaps the biggest indicator that it is time to see a hand specialist for numbness in fingers is when numbness affects your quality of life and begins to spread to other parts of your body. For instance, perhaps it is no longer just your right hand but also your left. Maybe you are also experiencing muscle atrophy or other symptoms beyond numbness.
6. Symptoms interfere with daily life
If you are losing sleep because of persistent finger numbness, dropping items you wouldn’t ordinarily drop, or avoiding activities because of it, you need answers and solutions.
A serious but often treatable condition that can contribute to numbness in fingers is carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects about 1–5% of the general population.
If you are experiencing numbness in fingers that will not go away and is making life difficult, the key is to get an early diagnosis. Your hand doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your hands, fingers, and wrists to determine if your symptoms are related to carpal tunnel or something else. In some cases, your physician may order X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and other laboratory tests to check for any other potential abnormalities. From there, treatment is typically conservative initially to assess the patient’s response. This can include rest, medication, splinting, and even surgery.
Fort Worth Hand Center Treats Finger Numbness
Do you suffer from numbness in fingers that won’t go away? Are you worried about whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome or something else that won’t get better on its own? From the fingertips to the elbow, the Fort Worth Hand Center physicians treat a wide range of conditions, including sports injuries, joint replacement, chronic conditions, age-related complications, trauma, numbness, and even coordination issues as a result of numbness.
Many times, these ailments do not improve on their own and require skilled medical help from someone who truly understands your situation and how muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage function. Our team of orthopedic surgeons at Fort Worth Hand Center is here to help when you need it most.
Fort Worth Hand Center offers expert care for all finger, hand, and wrist injuries. Our surgeons are specialists in treating chronic conditions and traumatic injuries, as well as performing state-of-the-art complex microscopic nerve repairs and tendon transfers. However, before any of that happens, our goal is to conduct a thorough examination to determine the best course of action. Sometimes, it may be surgery. Other times, a more conservative approach is better.
If surgery is your best treatment, our orthopedic physicians operate in state-of-the-art, accredited surgery centers. To schedule an appointment, call 817-877-3277 or complete the form below.
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This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before 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.
Fort Worth Hand Center serves the DFW area, including Mansfield, Newark, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, 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, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, and all of North Texas.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.