Right Arm Weakness

[RamMohan_1981]

Hi,
I am having a problem with my right hand.i cant lift weights atleast 2kgs with my right hand.i had consulted a doctor.he has assisted an ENMG test.which i had done and resulted a normal.cant figure out what is the problem.
Can any one help out.

[jess32691]

A related discussion, right arm weakness was started.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. I also cannot tell you much because of much needed information. However I will try to provide you with some useful information about different neuropathies of the hand.

A cause of numbness of the index finger and middle finger is carpal tunnel syndrome. It usually also has sensory changes of the palm at the thumb, index and middle fingers, and the ring finger on the side near the middle finger. I am not sure if you have these other features or not, but carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression/entrapment syndrome of the median nerve at the wrist. It usually results from excessive use of hands and occupational “microtrauma”.  Other causes include hypothyroidism, amylodosis, and arthritis to name a few. It may also arise during pregnancy and resolve after delivery of the child. The sensory changes usually are worse at night. Patients may complain of having to shake their hand to wake it up. Over time, atrophy of muscles of the thumb supplied by the median nerve may occur.

If you have sensory changes more on the medial fingers (pinky and half of the ring finger) and medial aspect of palm, it may be a neuropathy from the ulnar nerve. This nerve is also known as your “funny bone” when tapped or hit. It has several sites of compression along its course – one site being at the elbow. Classically, it may be a truck driver who rests elbow on window/door. It should also be mentioned that with rapid weight gain or weight loss, the ulnar nerve or median nerve (which causes carpal tunnel syndrome) can be compressed and cause their neuropathies.  

Having a normal EMG/NCS is reassuring. I would suggest that you follow up with a neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular medicine to evaluate your motor and sensory components of the hand.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.