loss of sensation in fourth & fifth fingers

[shunter]

For almost a year I have had this loss of sensation in my 4th & 5th fingers of my left hand, there is a numbness in the palm of my hand in this area. I have been to my Doctor who has suggested carpal tunnel syndrome, trapped nerve in shoulder etc, etc. One suggested physiotherapy/massage and 3 months later I am waiting for appointment, obviously I am not a priority as I have NO pain. but this is interfering with everyday life i.e. opening bottles, cutting fingernails, cooking (especially carving meat or cutting it). The numbness is always present and at it's worst my hand feels like a lump of wood and useless with a tightening sensation in my palm.I have tried to get my doctor to refer me to a specialist to find out what the cause is, and to see if it can be eleviated or whether I have to live with this. I am 57 yrs old and feel very frustrated with this problem. Please help or advise to what options I have to getting back to a normal life. Thank You
sincerely
kathleen hunter

[shunter]

Thank You for your advice. It has at least made me think some more on when exactly the problem happened. prior to this continuous problem i had a small ganglion appear on my wrist above the thumb which mysteriously suddenly caused swelling, pain and a reddness which started preading up my inner arm half way to elbow. I presented myself at the Emergency dept at hospital and it was xrayed. I was told then it was a synovial tendinitis (inflamation of synovail sheath or whatever that meant). I was sent home and told to take pain killers and return if it got worse. Thankfully it didn't but redness remained I saw my Doctor who gave me some antibiotics for 3 days whcih cleared the redness up. The small ganglion also disappeared as miraculously as it appeared and The numbness appeared about a couple of weeks later and I have been asking my doctor since who thinks there is nothing to worry about. i have quietly put up with it but feel that despite no pain is interfering in my every day life. i know it is my left hand but still feel something should or can be done hopefully to improve this frustrating /persistant problem. Does this shed some light on whether this was the trigger for this numbness? I don't know. Thank You for your help and I will try again to get back to my Doctor regarding possible referal to hand specialist.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Ulnar nerve mononeuropathy can be caused by illness in body damaging a single nerve, direct to nerve, long-term pressure on nerve, pressure on nerve caused by swelling of nearby structures. Long term elbow pressure and elbow fracture or dislocation can cause the damage. You need to consult a neurologist for nerve weakness like blood tests, imaging scans, nerve conduction tests, xrays and EMG. A supportive splint at either wrist or elbow can prevent further injury and relieve symptoms. Physical therapy, occupational counseling and surgery if required. Hope this helps. Take care.