Tingling Arm/Hand

    
      Re: Tingling  Arm/Hand
    


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Posted by CCF Neuro MD on April 08, 1997 at 08:52:41:

In Reply to: Tingling  Arm/Hand posted by Gennie on April 08, 1997 at 08:51:35:

: This Message was posted by: Gennie -  4/2/97 4:08:44 PM
  Message:
  What causes tingling down the arm and hand?
====================================================
A number of things can cause tingling in the arm and hand. The two most common problems are carpal tunnel syndrome and a
pinched nerve in the neck. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by a compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is
often associated with repetitive movements with the hand, for example typing, factory line work, or woodworking, etc. The
most common symptoms are numbness in the first 2 fingers, pain at the wrist and loss of grip strength, However, the symptoms
may involve the whole hand and radiate up the arm. Symptoms are usually worse with movement and better at rest. They will
typically wake a person up at night due to the positions of the hands when we sleep. The pinched nerve in the neck (cervical
radiculopathy) is also caused by a compression of the nerve as it exits the spine. It is usually compressed by a herniated disc or
a bony spur from arthritis, The pain will typically shoot down the arm in association with neck movements. It may also cause
numbness and weakness. These two disorders are best diagnosed by an EMG (electromyography)test.
There are a number of other possible disorders that may cause numbness down the arm, and I therefore recommend that you
seek evaluation by a neurologist. A complete neurologic exam is needed to diagnose you correctly. This is a frequent complaint
that neurologist see. Good luck.