The Correct Diagnosing for Finger Numbness

With nearly 50 conditions possibly resulting in numbness in the fingers, medical professionals and spinal surgeons in Beverly Hills note that achieving an accurate diagnosis of the source of the problem can be difficult. Due to the many potential causes of finger numbness, it’s important to receive an accurate diagnosis before undergoing treatment.

Conditions with Overlapping Symptoms

Finger numbness is such a vague symptom that it can be mistakenly diagnosed. For this reason, a patient’s medical history is also considered–especially if conditions that can result in circulation issues affecting the fingers, like diabetes, are a part of that history. Conditions with similar symptoms that may cause finger numbness include:

  • Cervical radiculopathy, or irritation of nerves in the neck
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Achieving an Accurate Diagnosis

A doctor will usually perform a thorough examination to determine if there additional symptoms that may narrow down the list of possible causes. An effort is then made to confirm or rule out certain conditions. A nerve conduction study, for instance, can confirm or rule out carpal tunnel syndrome. For conditions like RA or cervical radiculopathy, diagnosis often involves:

  • X-rays, MRIs and other image tests
  • Bone density testing
  • Blood tests

Cervical Disc Herniation Connection

Cervical disc herniation is another possible cause of sudden and recurring finger numbness. Resulting from a disc that places pressure on nerve roots in the neck, cervical disc herniation can cause finger numbness, although it’s often accompanied by radiating pain in the shoulders and arms.

Location and Duration of Numbness

The location and duration of finger numbness also play a role in diagnosis. If numbness is experienced in only one hand, it could be the result of what’s termed a mini-stroke, a broken arm, or rare conditions like systematic scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease affecting tissues in the body like those that supply blood to the fingers.

Finger numbness itself can be temporary when it’s related to an irritated nerve that can be treated with medication, or aggravated by certain movements if arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome is involved. If difficulty breathing, slurred speech or other unusually sudden symptoms are experienced along with finger numbness, seek immediate medical attention.

If you would like to learn more about back or neck conditions that may be causing numbness or if you would like to schedule an in-person consultation with trusted physician who can tell you more about procedures that could provide meaningful relief, like cervical artificial disc surgery, call The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration at (310) 828-7757.  Pain relief starts here.