forearm numb after weightlifting

[ncollins]

For the last 6 months, the inside of my forearm from above my wrist to below my elbow (it seems to run along a tendon on the thumb half of the forearm) has become numb after either weightlifting or golfing.  

The first time I noticed something was off, the pain felt more like a shooting / burning sensation in the same general area.  I would only feel this during a stretch (imagine sitting in a chair & reaching for something on a high shelf behind you).  However, I don't remember any specific injury that predated this.

After moving some very heavy objects at work one night (after the burning sensation occurred), I noticed that the area described above was numb.  I took a few weeks off from the gym, but even during that time I could still notice that the area was slightly numb to the touch & to more pressure.

At this point it's not painful (and has not been since the first week or two) but it is certainly concerning as I enjoy weightlifting and golfing.  It's a bit numb at all times, but much more so after these activities.  After the forearm "relaxes" back to the normal resting state, the numbness seems less pronounced, but still present.

Should I see a doctor immediately?  Do I need surgery?  Steroid injection?  Is there some nerve compression / damage?  Any information would be greatly appreciated

[ncollins]

I have never had any numbness in my hand or fingers.  Could this still be the syndrome?  Also, I don't feel like I've lost any particular strength in either my grip or forearm.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

This sounds like it could be pronator syndrome.  This entrapment neuropathy occurs where the median nerve passes between the two heads of the pronator teres muscle and under the fibrous arch of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle in the forearm. Patients may relate an episode or series of episodes of prolonged pronation of the forearm and forced flexion of the fingers, as do carpenters and mechanics during the performance of their everyday tasks.
A patient suffering from pronator syndrome may present with a diffuse forearm ache that is usually the result of prolonged muscular effort. Numbness is noted in the median field of the hand which may be exacerbated by forced pronation. Tenderness over the entrapment site maybe present and can lead to pain in the proximal forearm that is increased with pronation. Percussion over the site may result in the generation and transmission of abnormal sensations down the path of the median nerve (Tinel's sign). Motor evaluation of the involved extremity may reveal decreased strength to muscles innervated by the median nerve distal to the entrapment site. Specifically, motor losses may result in a decreased ability to pronate the wrist, a loss of wrist flexion, partial loss of finger flexion, and a loss of thumb opposition. In contrast, patients with carpal tunnel syndrome will not demonstrate weakness in wrist flexion, wrist pronation, or finger flexion.

Pronator syndrome often responds to physical therapy and an agressive stretching program.  If this is unsuccessful, surgery can be performed.