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Tingling in the Fingers

In the past week two of my friends have stopped me with the same medical question: “What does it mean when you get tingling and numbness in your fingers?” And as neither of them are Eskimos and we haven’t had that cold a winter, I’m not talking about frost bite brought on by Arctic conditions! But although having numb fingers may seem like a mild condition, just try doing up shirt buttons when you can’t feel your finger tips; or pick up a pin off the table when the tips of your digits feel like the wooden surface of the table-top!

One of the most common causes of this loss of sensation to the tips of your fingers is called carpal tunnel syndrome and it’s worth knowing how to recognise it, as treatment is very successful if the condition is treated appropriately and not left until the affected nerve is permanently damaged. But first a quick lesson in anatomy.
 

The Carpal Tunnel

The carpal tunnel gets its name from the small, square carpal bones that make up the back half of the wrist, and tunnel because the carpal bones form a tunnel. Lying within the carpal tunnel are the long, solid flexor tendons and the median nerve, a relatively soft and vulnerable structure.

In conditions where there is increased pressure within the carpal tunnel, it’s the median nerve that suffers, warning you that there is a problem with pins and needles in the thumb and first two digits. This is often worse at night and is enough to wake sufferers up with pain and tingling. If the pressure was to increase then further damage could be done and sensation can be lost, resulting in numbness to the affected fingers - and this can be permanent. Fluid retention within the tunnel can precipitate the problem, and women who are susceptible to carpal tunnel syndrome can often get their first symptoms when they become pregnant as fluid retention is more likely to occur. Further along the time scale, people who suffer from arthritis, where thickening can occur not only around joints but around tendons too, may also become victims to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Thankfully treatment is often very efficient and effective. A small steroid injection into the carpal tunnel can rapidly remove inflammation and swelling and take the pressure of the afflicted nerve. If that fails then a simple surgical procedure will physically remove the pressure from the nerve and cure the problem.

However, numbness may not always be as simple as carpal tunnel syndrome. My other friend was sent for surgery on both his affected hands but sadly the results were not good and he still has the problem. But he also has a far more challenging problem that I suspect is also playing a major role in his situation: he has diabetes.

Poorly controlled diabetes is notorious for producing serious consequences, the more common ones being heart disease, kidney disease and eye disease. But it can also affect the circulation and the peripheral nerves. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy differs from carpal tunnel syndrome in that it doesn’t limit itself to one nerve - it affects all peripheral nerves and more commonly will start in the feet, often described as a “sock like” distribution. The sad thing is that once the nerve is damaged, currently we have no way of resurrecting its function. Patients with peripheral neuropathy usually complain first of a burning sensation which progresses to numbness and it will take the expertise of a doctor or specialist to determine the extent, type and severity of the problem.

If you do suffer from altered sensation in your fingers or toes and it’s not going away, you must get it checked out. If you are a diabetic, it is so important to keep your blood sugars under good control and do everything you can to maximise your health and minimise the risks that diabetes can pose. And if you bang your funny bone you’ll know exactly what a neuropathy is, and you’ll have my complete sympathy!

Article written by Dr. Duncan Jefferson. For more articles by Dr. Duncan, click here. For more information on healthcare and private health cover, visit HBF Insurance at www.hbf.com.au.

The content of these articles is not tailored for any particular individual's circumstances. The author does not take into account your physical condition, medical history or any medication you may be taking. Any advice or information provided by the author cannot replace the advice of your health care professional. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent those of HBF unless clearly indicated.