how do you know if a nerve was permanently damaged, if so how can it be repaired?

Question

I cut my thumb in the crease where it bends several weeks ago and now half of the underside and part of the nail area on the side that was cut is numb. Also whenever I grasp something at the point where it was cut I get an electrical shock feeling which is painful. Have I ruiened the nerve?

Answer 1

I actually had a nerve severed during a minor surgery a few years back. There's a whole area on the top of my thigh that's numb on the skin but underneath i can feel everything. For about 2 years I would get that sharp stinging "shock" feeling but it gradually got less frequent and less painful. Now it's been 6 or 7 years and the top is still completely numb BUT i no longer get that stinging. There's something about the way your brain communicates with your body that makes you feel nerves even after they are severed/gone... EXAMPLE- amputees many times feel a 'numbness' or sharp pains in a limb that is already gone! Sounds creepy, but it's very common. if you saw a dr after you hurt yourself- follow up with that dr. i'm sorry to tell you that you may or may not ever get the feeling back. fortunately- you'll learn to get use to.

Answer 2

You would definitly know if it were damaged because you would no longer be able to feel anything. You could of caused some damage to the nerve and might just have to get used to the idea that your finger will always be numb. Nerves dont grow back and cant be repaired. Some day in the future tho with all this stem cell research they say that they will be able to grow nerves back. Now that would be really great.

Answer 3

I had the tip of my finger smashed off and it took almost a year to get the feeling back. I still don't have all feeling but my dr said it could take a couple years because of the damage. Hope this helps :)

Answer 4

Take it easy a few weeks and if its still acting up go see a doctor.