For a while I was having a problem with my wrist and forearm. I'd be writing, or just sitting even, and pain would shoot through my arm. If I was writing I had to stop because I couldn't hold the pencil properly because of the pain. Now my fingers have started falling alseep, especially when I try and grip something. They fall asleep, and sorta throb. My forearm hurts when the happens. Every morning I wake up and my entire right arm is asleep, eve if I sleep on my stomach and it takes a while to get feeling back in it. What could be going on. I'm only 15 so I don't think it's carpal tunnel or anything. Also, if it's connected, I have this little bump on my elbow and when I lean on my elbow just right it really hurts. Could that be part of the problem? If you need me to be more specific on anything please ask. (I do a lot of typing and I work as a cashier if that matters, it's a lot of repetitive motion. I feel too young for this!)
2007-11-25 12:14:52 · 5 answers · asked by Ava 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
Carpal tunnel doesn't have anything to do with age. If you wait to get it checked out by an expert, the damage could become permanent.
2007-11-25 12:23:23 · answer #1 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a test...
- if your thumb, index and middle finger are tingling when you wake up in the morning, it is more than likely carpal tunnel. Usually feels like you also cannot grip anything.
- If you have tingling in your pinky and ring finger, than it's, for lack of a better term, golfer's elbow or tennis elbow due to hyper-extension of the forearms compressing the Ulnar Nerve. It can make your forearm feel heavy and has pain on the top part of your forearm.
For Carpal Tunnel
-Get a wrist splint to wear when you go to bed if it's the tingling in the thumb, index, and middle finger. Use ice packs a few times a day on the wrist area and Tylenol if the Doctor allows it.
-For Golfer's Elbow or Tennis Elbow
-Get an Elbow support pad or strap to put on your forearm. Wear this to bed and keep your elbow supported on a pillow at night. Ice can help and also make sure you have the correct setup at your desk.
I would also recommend a roller ball mouse as well.
Surgery is the end-all solution orthopedic surgeons put on people right away even when there is no major atrophy in the thumb muscle. The EMG test is painful and not really worth it unless it's a quality of life issue and is not resolved with the wrist splint/elbow support use at night.
Problem is, you sleep with your wrists bent at night so a few years after surgery, you have a new issue to deal with again. Hope this helps.
2007-11-28 06:22:36 · answer #2 · answered by Dach 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could either be your ulnar nerve which runs in the back of your elbow down to your hand (when you are leaning on your elbow).
It could also possibly be your median nerve which causes inability to grip objects. It all depends on your posture most of the day. It could be carpal tunnel due to repetitive motion behind the cashier and typing.
I suggest you see an orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation. It all depends which fingers go numb and the exact location of pain.
2007-11-25 12:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by Notorious DPT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be either carpal , tendinitis, a pinched nerve or something else. Whatever it is, you need to get it checked out pretty quick so you can start getting treatment or relief.
I've had Carpel in both hands and the symptoms were similar to what you described.
Age has no bearing - non treatment is foolish as all of them can be treated.
See your Doctor - pronto.
2007-11-25 12:35:20 · answer #4 · answered by Lassie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could have tendinitis or carpal tunnel. It could also be a pinched nerve in your arm, shoulder or neck.
2007-11-25 12:25:24 · answer #5 · answered by Mark S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋