Working People Suffer from Hand-Lock Syndrome Causing Numb Fingers

Working People Suffer from Hand-Lock Syndrome Causing Numb Fingers

In recent years, there has been an increase in people coming to orthopedic doctors for consultation about hand abnormalities and needing rehabilitation. This is true for both genders and the most common symptoms include a hand that is so weak and numb that it is hard to handle anything, and fingers that lock, making it difficult to bend or stretch them and causing pain.

When inquiring about the history of each person, the answer is similar: most of them have to work with computers regularly, such as programmers, designers, and accountants. Other jobs include young men and golfers, groups of women and masseuses (Thai traditional), factory workers who have to pick up various things in a row for long periods of time, chefs who have to chop meat and cut vegetables, and even a housewife doing laundry and mopping the house.

If you are experiencing abnormal symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also consider how the symptoms began, as this information may help your doctor in determining the cause and best course of action.

Hand Numbness Caused by Pinched Nerves

Numbness in the hand can be caused by the compression of the nerve that runs from the arm to the wrist. This compression can be due to a variety of factors, including fractures to the forearm or upper arm, as well as weakened muscles around the base of the thumb. This condition is more commonly seen in females between the ages of 30-60 years. If left untreated, it can lead to pain and decreased hand function. Treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation, as well as physical therapy.

What are the causes…

Anything that causes swelling and irritation of the synovial membrane around the tendon, such as repeatedly using a lawnmower, screw drilling machine, tennis racket grip, golf club, wrist fracture, or dislocation of the joints, can lead to nerve compression. This is also the case for people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, pregnant women, and those experiencing hormonal changes due to menopause.

If you experience any of the following preliminary symptoms, it is recommended that you seek medical advice from a professional.

Numbness and tingling in the hands, especially at night, may be linked to sleeping posture and the use of that hand.
People with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience decreased sensation in their thumb, index, middle, and some parts of the ring finger. This can make it difficult to pick up and grasp objects.
When tapping on the wrist in the area where the median nerve runs through, a person may experience a sudden sensation similar to an electric shock. This symptom may be even more noticeable if the person has flexed their hand towards their forearm for one minute, as this can cause compression of the nerve and make the muscles around the palm of the thumb flatten.

Treatment

Use the treatment methods below should there only be a few symptoms:

Wear a wrist brace while sleeping can help prevent the wrist from bending and reduce swelling in the tendons and the lining around the wrist, which can help prevent nerve compression.
Take anti-inflammatory drugs
If the symptoms are more severe, your doctor may recommend steroid injections into the area where the nerve runs through. This drug spreads to the joint epithelium and ligaments that are inflamed and swollen, causing the swelling to subside and reducing the pressure on the nerve. The dosage of the injected drug is small and there is no serious danger associated with it. Treatment with these methods will work well and the symptoms should improve. In case the nerve is not being pressed too much and the symptoms do not improve, surgical treatment may be necessary. This involves cutting out part of the fascia tendon in the part where the nerve is compressed. After the surgery, the symptoms should improve, the pain will decrease and the numbness will decrease, though it may not be completely gone and may take some more time.

Best wishes from Vibhavadi Hospital