Why the fingers on the left hand go numb - the main reasons, treatment, prevention

Main reasons

There are two large groups of causes of numbness in the fingers on the left hand, which you can learn about below.

The main ones.

Doctors say that such symptoms cause problems with the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, injuries and heavy loads on the vertebrae. All this causes compression of blood vessels and nerve processes. The person feels pain and goosebumps.
Cerebral ischemia. Due to impaired blood flow, a deficiency of oxygen appears in the cells, which a person feels as numbness.
A non-physiological posture may also be an explanation.
Non-pathological reasons: carrying a child or squeezing the wrist with accessories.

Additional.

When wearing backpacks and bags, at low temperatures, or with the arm positioned for a long time above chest level, the plexus of nerve processes and blood vessels is compressed, which disrupts blood circulation and causes spasm of the arteries.

Pain in fingers

Pain in fingers. Causes of pain in fingers

Most often, pain in the fingers is caused by:

polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers;
rheumatoid arthritis;
psoriatic arthritis;
gout, or gouty arthritis;
de Quervain's tenosynovitis;
rhizarthrosis.

In addition, pain in the fingers (coupled with numbness) causes carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome. Together, carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome account for approximately 30-35% of cases of pain in the fingers.

Probably, having read the entire extensive list above, you are now thinking with horror that it will be very difficult to understand so many diseases and understand which of them is causing pain in your fingers. But actually it is not. It won't be too difficult to figure it out.

For example, two diseases immediately stand out from the general list - carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome; they always occur with numbness of the hands. Therefore, if pain in your fingers is combined with numbness, read articles about carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome.

If you have pain in your fingers, but there is no obvious numbness in your hands, you can safely exclude carpal tunnel syndrome and Raynaud's syndrome from the list under consideration. Other diseases of the fingers have such characteristic symptoms that it is most often not difficult to distinguish one disease from another. And below I will tell you about these characteristic symptoms. All you have to do is read carefully and compare your feelings with my descriptions.

Polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers, “knotty fingers”

Polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers accounts for approximately 40% of all cases of pain in the fingers. People at least 40-45 years old are affected (people under 40 years old suffer from this disease in extremely rare cases), but people aged 50-55 years and older are especially often affected by polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers. Women get sick much more often than men.

Polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers is characterized by the appearance of special nodules (the so-called Heberden's nodes) on the dorsal or lateral surface of those joints that are located closer to the nails. Heberden's nodes most often develop symmetrically, that is, on the right and left arms at the same time and in the same places. Moreover, they can form on any fingers, from big to little fingers.

During the formation of Heberden's nodes, burning and pain may occur in the joints underneath them; sometimes these joints become swollen and red. But in a third of patients, the formation of Heberden's nodes occurs asymptomatically, without pain or burning.

In addition to Heberden's nodes, with polyosteoarthrosis, low-painful nodules appear on those joints that are located approximately in the middle of the fingers (proximal interphalangeal joints). These are Bouchard's nodes. They have a spindle-shaped shape, develop very slowly and, with rare exceptions, almost do not hurt.

More details about polyosteoarthrosis >>

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis accounts for approximately 5-7% of all cases of pain in the fingers. People of any age get sick, but most often those over thirty. Women get sick about 5 times more often than men. The disease usually develops after severe stress or after the flu, severe colds, infections or hypothermia.

Rheumatoid arthritis most often begins with inflammation and swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers (that is, with inflammation of the joints located at the base of these fingers, in the area of the protruding bones of a clenched fist). In most cases, inflammation of the metacarpophalangeal joints is combined with inflammation and swelling of the wrist joints.

Inflammation of the fingers and wrist joints in rheumatoid arthritis is symmetrical, that is, if the joints on the right hand are affected, then the same joints on the left hand are almost certainly affected. In most patients, the process often involves other joints of the fingers and toes, as well as large joints - knees, elbows, ankles, etc.

At the same time, the inflammatory rhythm of pain is most typical for rheumatoid arthritis: pain in the joints intensifies in the second half of the night, in the morning. During the day and evening the pain usually subsides somewhat.

Very often, the listed symptoms are accompanied in rheumatoid patients by a feeling of weakness, fever, weight loss and chills, i.e. the disease often leads to a general deterioration in the patient’s well-being.

Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis >>

Psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis accounts for less than 5% of all cases of pain in the fingers. The disease most often affects people aged 20-50 years. In most cases (but not always), the disease develops in people who already have psoriatic skin manifestations - dry, scaly, reddish spots on the body or scalp (psoriatic plaques).

Damage to the fingers in psoriatic arthritis is characterized by the so-called “axial inflammation,” when all the joints of a finger swell at once. The finger itself turns red and looks like a sausage. This pathology is called a “sausage-shaped” finger.

With psoriatic arthritis, axial inflammation can occur in any finger. But note that with this disease, inflammation of the fingers on the right and left hands is most often asymmetrical, that is, as a rule, the fingers on one hand are affected; and sometimes on both hands at once, but then on one hand some fingers and joints become inflamed, and on the second hand - completely different ones.

Read more about psoriatic arthritis in Chapter 19.

Gout, or gouty arthritis

Gout, or gouty arthritis, accounts for less than 5% of all cases of pain in the fingers.

People commonly call gout a deformity of the big toe, which usually develops in women. But in fact, this is not gout, but arthrosis of the big toe. But “classic”, real gout (gouty arthritis) occurs more often in men. Women suffer from gout several times less often.

And while true gout often (but by no means always) begins in the long-suffering big toes, it can affect any joint in both the hands and feet.

Gouty arthritis usually appears between the ages of 20 and 50. The first to become inflamed, as already mentioned, are the joints of the toes or the knee or ankle joints. On the hands, the joints of the thumbs become inflamed most often (but any other fingers can become inflamed, either on one hand or on both).

Inflammation of the joints during gout occurs in the form of attacks. In most cases, a gout attack occurs completely unexpectedly: it usually begins against a background of complete health, most often at night. The pain in the joints during a gouty attack is often very acute: according to patients, “it makes you want to climb the wall.” During such an attack, the affected joint turns red, the skin over it becomes bright red or purplish and hot to the touch.

Although in some patients, especially women, the attacks are milder, without redness of the joint and without such acute pain. But in any case, an attack of gout occurs unexpectedly and lasts from 3 to 10 days; then he suddenly passes as if nothing happened. However, after some time, the attack just as suddenly recurs again.

This paroxysmal course of the disease is the hallmark of gouty arthritis.

More details about gout >>

De Quervain's tenosynovitis

De Quervain's tenosynovitis accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of pain in the fingers. This is an inflammation of the ligaments and “small” muscles in the area of the thumb exclusively. Other fingers do not become inflamed with de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis can occur at any age in both men and women. Characteristic symptoms: pain at the base of the thumb and under it, where the thumb comes into contact with the wrist joint.

Pain can occur spontaneously, “out of the blue,” but most often it appears when putting pressure on the thumb, when trying to press the thumb on something, or when trying to grab something with the thumb and index finger. In addition, the pain intensifies when the thumb is extended towards itself, i.e. towards the elbow.

For more information about de Quervain's tenosynovitis, see Chapter 6.

Rhizarthrosis - arthrosis of the thumb

Rhysarthrosis - approximately 5% of all cases of pain in the fingers. Rhizarthrosis affects the joint located at the base of the thumb and connecting the metacarpal bone of the thumb to the radiojoint.

Usually rhizarthrosis is one of the manifestations of polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers, and then making a diagnosis is not difficult. But in approximately 20-30% of cases, rhizarthrosis occurs as an independent disease, usually in people who constantly heavily load or have once extremely overloaded their thumb. In this case, it can be quite difficult to distinguish rhizarthrosis from de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, since the symptoms of these diseases coincide by almost 90%.

In such a situation, we can be helped to distinguish rhizarthrosis from de Quervain's tenosynovitis by the deformation of the bones of the diseased joint, which is clearly noticeable upon examination and is clearly recorded on an x-ray (with de Quervain's tenosynovitis, only changes in the soft tissues above the joint can be detected on an x-ray - and even then extremely rarely).

For more information about rhizarthrosis, see the chapter on polyosteoarthrosis of the fingers.

You can also watch Dr. Evdokimenko’s video on the topic of hand diseases >>

Article by Dr. Evdokimenko© for the book “Pain and Numbness in the Hands”, published in 2004. Edited in 2011

What is the body saying?

Suddenly my fingers lost sensitivity. If this is a rare phenomenon and it disappears after 2 - 3 minutes, then there is nothing to fear. If such sensations bother you often, then this is a signal of a developing disease.

Little finger. Paresthesia indicates chronic heart failure and other cardiac pathologies.
Forefinger. Goes numb with diabetes, occupational stress, inflammation in the joints.
Thumb. Metabolic processes in the spine are clearly disrupted. You may feel pain in the forearm and weakness in the arm muscles.
Middle finger. Raynaud's disease, hernia, articular deformity, osteochondrosis of the 7th vertebra.
Nameless. Numbness due to the fact that the nerve endings in the bend of the elbow are compressed.

Causes

Why do my fingers go numb at night? Most often this is due to physical factors: a person either sleeps in an uncomfortable position or puts his hand under his head. The blood vessels are squeezed and the hand becomes numb. When you change your position and rub your fingers, the numbness gradually gives way to tingling and disappears.

If the middle finger on the right or left hand goes numb, this may be due to the person’s professional activity. This is typical for those who work at a computer for a long time (typing or actively moving the mouse) or perform monotonous work in production.

Why do my fingertips go numb and tingling? This phenomenon may be present in advanced osteochondrosis, constantly elevated blood pressure, and circulatory failure. In case of regularly recurring numbness in the fingertips, accompanied by neck pain, headache and slight dizziness, you should definitely consult a therapist. These reasons can become dangerous not only to health, but also to human life. For example, persistent high blood pressure can trigger a hypertensive crisis or hemorrhagic stroke.

In case of spinal injuries or displacement of intervertebral discs, accompanied by pinched nerve endings, discomfort will be present in a specific part of the upper limb. What to do when your arm goes numb from the elbow to the fingers? Straighten your back, rub your neck from the numb side and the limb itself. If pain occurs in a numb area of the arm, you can use a cold compress or a heating pad with ice. But the listed measures are considered emergency and do not eliminate the need to urgently visit a doctor for examination.

The phenomenon in question can occur not only during sleep, but also at the height of the working day. For example:

the little finger and ring finger are numb – there is a pathological process in the muscular system of the spine or heart problems;
the middle phalanx of any finger becomes numb in the event of a rupture, sprain or dislocation of the elbow joint or wrist;
numbness of the thumb means the presence of pathological changes in the structure of the tissues surrounding the wrist or elbow joint;
index fingers go numb – arthritis or arthrosis of the elbow joint progresses, the process is accompanied by pain.

Numbness of the fingers can also occur due to diabetes mellitus, stagnation of venous blood, and chronic pancreatitis. In any case, a regularly occurring feeling of numbness in the fingers should be the reason for a visit to a therapist, who will most likely refer the patient for additional examination to specialized specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist). On our website Dobrobut.com there is enough information to figure out: fingers go numb and hurt - what does it mean, which doctor to contact for help, what can be done at home.

Treatment methods

In modern medicine, there are several effective methods for treating numbness in the fingers of the left hand.

Drug therapy. This method involves the use of products selected by a specialist, in the form of ointments, preparations and creams. Which can relieve inflammation, swelling and pain.
Therapeutic massage and manual therapy.
Using ultrasound or laser. This will help restore damaged tissue and lost sensitivity.
Special exercises and health-improving physical education. This will help improve blood circulation and the general condition of the body.

Effective treatment

Numbness in the fingers can only be treated after consulting a doctor. You need to do an MRI of the spine and go to a vertebrologist.

General therapy includes:

Therapeutic exercises for the muscles of the shoulder girdle and arms;
Back and neck massage;
Taking general strengthening medications.

During treatment, doctors advise:

Take vitamins B, C, calcium, give injections;
In cases of inflammation, take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesics;
Apply creams and ointments to improve nerve conduction;
Eat more vegetables, herbs, fruits rich in healthy amino acids and vitamins;
Avoid alcohol and smoking, which are bad for your fingers;
Do not overwork, do not exercise excessively;
Make contrast baths for your hands, rub your fingers with olive oil and black pepper.

Depending on the disease, sometimes doctors prescribe antibiotics.

Preventing finger numbness

As with most neurological diseases, preventive measures boil down to the following:

Maintain an active lifestyle. Do exercises and don’t forget about daily physical activity;
Listen to your body and undergo timely medical examinations to identify pathology at an early stage;
Periodically get tested and undergo examination of the vascular system;
Try to eat healthy and balanced. Don't forget to take your vitamins.

The main thing to remember is that the body always warns in advance about changes, and does not suddenly get sick. Few people notice problems that are just beginning; most often they do not pay attention to it, hoping that everything will go away on its own. Lack of time, fear of doctors and injections, reduction of the importance of what is happening ultimately lead to the disease becoming much worse, treatment time taking much longer, or the consequences can cost lives.

Why do they refuse to work?

The hands are a complex mechanism that can withstand enormous loads. However, under unfavorable conditions, as well as with age, they lose functionality. Movement is difficult and causes pain, which impairs the quality of life. The causes of arthralgia are divided into two groups: inflammatory and mechanical. It is very easy to determine inflammation: the skin turns red and swells, persistent pain appears, and the range of motion is reduced.

If the symptoms are not so obvious, but discomfort occurs periodically, the cause may be arthrosis of the hand. The disease develops against the background of metabolic disorders. The cartilage in the joints loses its elasticity, microcracks and invisible defects appear in them, which intensify over time.

In all joints, large and small, identical processes occur:

the formation of synovial fluid, which acts as a natural lubricant in the joint, is disrupted;
the edges of the damaged cartilage become denser;
Bone growths form around the joint, limiting mobility, and pain occurs.

With arthrosis, the hand looks as usual, there are no signs of inflammation

Pain in the hand and working at the computer: what is the connection?

Today, almost everyone has a laptop or desktop computer. Even older people confidently surf the Internet or otherwise spend time in front of a screen. Scientists have come to the conclusion that some hand diseases arise as a result of prolonged monotonous movements of the hands on the keyboard. We are talking about neuromuscular disorders or chronic diseases of the hands, which are accompanied by muscle cramps.

Working with the keyboard is reminiscent of playing the piano and requires prolonged tension of the fingers. Over time, sensitivity at the peripheral nerve endings decreases, cramps occur in the hands, and coordination of finger movements is lost. It is not surprising that complaints about the hands not obeying are more often heard from people who deal with computers.

Scientists have expressed the opinion that the design of a modern keyboard needs to be improved. The key mounting should be modified to reduce vibration as much as possible. It is this that becomes a resonator of strong excitation of nerve endings and leads to inhibition of nerve centers and a decrease in the sensitivity threshold. If this issue can be resolved, long-term work at the computer will become less dangerous for the joints of the hand!

What should I do?

If your hands no longer obey you, do not experiment with folk remedies, but go for a diagnosis. The orthopedist will prescribe an instrumental examination and confirm or refute the diagnosis. If arthrosis is confirmed, treatment of osteoarthritis will be complex.

You will be prescribed medications that will stop the progression of the disease, painkillers, and will also be recommended a set of exercises to restore hand function. In the case of small joints, ointments and creams with anti-inflammatory and anesthetic components help well, but they only work in combination.

Treatment of hand arthrosis should be comprehensive

In the video you will see a simple, short set of exercises for the wrists and fingers. Take action!

What other diseases can cause hand failure?

There are a lot of joint diseases, and only an experienced doctor will determine whether you have arthrosis or arthritis, or maybe gout or a simple injury.

Rheumatoid arthritis . Due to an autoimmune failure, the body perceives its own cells as foreign and destroys the joint. The disease develops in both hands. Over time, fingers become deformed, curved and lose mobility. Pathological changes begin early - at the age of 25-30, but upon reaching an older age a person has a pronounced set of symptoms.
Gout . Uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, causing severe pain. The disease begins in the lower extremities and gradually moves to the upper extremities. Gouty bumps due to the deposition of salts in the joints are especially painful at night and calm down in the morning.
Arthritis . Infectious joint inflammations are common. Acute arthritis is accompanied by severe pain and swelling, and fever. Chronic – reminds itself after prolonged stress on the joints.

This is what an inflamed hand with arthritis looks like