- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common. It is due to the compression of the median nerve as it passes though the tunnel in the wrist. You will experience pain (may described as burning pain) over that hand especially at night or early morning. You may be able to localise the api to the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring fingers in some cases. You relieve yourself from the pain by putting down your hand and shaking it. You will also experience numbness or tingling sensation of the same distribution. If the condition worsens, you can feel the pain and tingling numbness more frequently or constantly. In severe cases, the muscle of the thumb will be wasted. You may start to drop things from the hand from the lack of sensibility of the fingers and thumb or from the weakness due to the muscle wasting.
Learn More - Cubital tunnel syndromeCubital tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes behind the elbow. You will experience numbness and tingling over the little finger and half of the ring finger and part of the palm just below the little finger. This commonly happens at night or after a period of positioning the elbow in a bent position. The tingling and numbness will disappear after straightening the elbow.
In severe cases, the numbness becomes more frequent or constant and the muscle of the hands can become weak and wasted. You may notice difficulty handling chopstick or certain utensils and performing certain intricate activities like knitting, unbuttoning, etc.
Learn More - Superficial Radial Nerve NeuritisIn this condition, your superficial radial nerve is compressed near your wrist and it can cause tingling and numbness sensation along the area of the wrist and palm just below the thumb. These symptoms are triggered by wrist motion.
- Nerve tumourNerve tumour is not uncommon in the hand and upper limb. Most are benign tumour Malignant (cancerous) lesion is uncommon. It can present with swelling over the fingers, palm or any where along the limb. The swelling is sensitive to touch or tapping which will result in tingling sensation travelling towards the hand. You can feel numbness or even pain over the area innervated by the nerve. Some of the muscles can be weak and wasted.
- Brachial plexus injuryBrachial plexus is a severe injury to the whole network of nerves that supplies the sensation and motion of the entire upper limb from the shoulder to the hand.
This injury commonly occurs from trauma i.e. road traffic accident, fall from height or a stab injury. It can also be caused by radiation injury. You will have complete or partial loss of sensation over the while upper limb and complete paralysis or weakness of the upper limb. The upper limb can also be very painful.
Learn More - Traumatic nerve injuryYour upper limb function is controlled by several important nerves. These nerves give sensation and supply signals that contract muscles and initiate motion.
These nerves can be injured from deep cuts or from prolonged external pressure. They can also be divided or compressed by fractured bones or dislocated joints.
Once damage, you may experience numbness and weakness or paralysis of certain motion.
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