Is Hand Numbness A Sign Of Spinal Issues?

Hand numbness should not be ignored; if the sensation of numbness has continued for an extended time without relief, or with intermittent breaks, then the cause may come from an undiagnosed spinal condition. Hand numbness can occur when the hand is overused from repetitive tasks, when exposed to extreme temperatures, or from an accident. Symptoms that accompany numbness include pain, tingling, and weakness throughout the hand. Whether the symptoms occur in an isolated area or extend to the arm and shoulder, all of these indicators can show some form of sensory nerve damage.

These nerves are important for sending and detecting information throughout the body and help indicate any underlying conditions that may be present. That’s why neurologists, neurosurgeons, and spine specialists all have the ability to diagnose and treat spinal conditions related to the nervous system. If you’re experiencing some form of hand numbness, then some of the conditions below may be a potential cause for your symptoms.

Spinal Cord Injury – Any injury to the spine can create ever-lasting, permanent changes to how the body feels sensations and functions overall. Any recent spinal cord injury can cause hand numbness depending on the severity and location of the injury. If you’ve experienced a traumatic spine injury, the condition must be treated by a medical professional: call 911 in these cases to prevent any serious complications.

Cervical Radiculopathy – This condition occurs when the neck’s cervical nerve root is damaged, inflamed, or compressed to the point where the shoulders, arms, and hands feel numb, shooting pain, and add a burning sensation throughout those areas. This inflammation or compression can occur from a bone spur or herniated disc and isn’t isolated.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which connects the forearm to the wrist, is inflamed or compressed, creating tingling, numbing sensations throughout the hand. When the bundles of ligaments and tendons are compressed, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to weakness and lack of coordination to the fingers and thumbs.

Peripheral Neuropathy – Any damage present to the peripheral nerves, or nerves extending outside of the brain and spinal cord, can cause this condition to occur. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by other related health conditions, such as diabetes, and causes symptoms such as tingling, burning, stabbing, and numbness, to occur in the hands. For this condition, your neurologist should diagnose the cause and treat it accordingly.

By seeing a neurologist, you can find the best treatment for your pain and numbness. If you are experiencing any form of hand numbness, and wish to learn about medical treatment plans and medications that can help relieve the symptoms, then contact Dr. Diana Wilson at Neurosurgical and Spine Consultants today. Located in Forth Worth, TX, Dr. Wilson will be able to give you comprehensive spine care to treat any various nerve conditions that you may have. Please schedule an appointment to find the right treatment for you.