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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Right wrist/hand stuff
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Right wrist/hand stuff
by Animigi, Dec 23, 2006 12:00AM
Greetings: Several months ago I slipped and fell and hit my hand/wrist area. It seemed to heal on it's own until I noticed I was dropping things. My grip is unreliable and getting worse with pain when I turn or twist my wrist. Last evening I did some shopping and was carrying the somewhat bulky bags in that hand for a couple of hours. This morning my ring and pinky are numb; as if asleep. I'm hoping this is related to the original injury and not something else. I'm a retired critical care onc nurse and recently diagnosed with hepatitis C. My labs have always been wnl, I have no symptoms. Do I need to be concerned or did I, perhaps, overlook a fracture from that fall? Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Jan 22, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe suggest a problem with your ulnar nerve. This nerve supplies the motor control of the intrinsic hand muscles (thus affects grip) and sensation to the ring and pinky fingers. This nerve is commonly compressed at the elbow or at the wrist. From the story you related, I would suspect comrpession at the wrist, which may or may not be related to your fall. I would suggest an EMG/nerve conduction study of your arm to assess for the site of ulnar nerve dysfunction. After the EMG/NCS is complete then surgical or conservative options can be discussed as needed (ulnar nerve compression at the wrist is often released in a similar surgery to carpal tunnel release [carpal tunnel syndrome mor often affects the median nerve]). I would also suggest a plain Xray of your wrist to evaluate for fracture.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe suggest a problem with your ulnar nerve. This nerve supplies the motor control of the intrinsic hand muscles (thus affects grip) and sensation to the ring and pinky fingers. This nerve is commonly compressed at the elbow or at the wrist. From the story you related, I would suspect comrpession at the wrist, which may or may not be related to your fall. I would suggest an EMG/nerve conduction study of your arm to assess for the site of ulnar nerve dysfunction. After the EMG/NCS is complete then surgical or conservative options can be discussed as needed (ulnar nerve compression at the wrist is often released in a similar surgery to carpal tunnel release [carpal tunnel syndrome mor often affects the median nerve]). I would also suggest a plain Xray of your wrist to evaluate for fracture.
I hope this has been helpful.
Best wishes,
Kim