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Fingers going numb especially last 2 on my hand.
#1
I'm confused...

For some reason, the last two fingers on my right hand started getting numb.

I've changed my grips, put in a handlebar riser, and after a while, twisted the bar back and forwards, moved my brake and gear levers to different positions, and changed my gloves, but still, during a long ride, the last 2 fingers go numb. All the above-attempted solutions were given a long trial period, ie 60 or so ks, but no result

They don't stay numb too long.

Has this happened to anyone?

If so, do you know why and what was your remedy?

Any advice will be gratefully appreciated Smile
  Reply
#2
This is due to pressure on the hands which cuts off circulation.

Some remedies can include adjusting the height and length of your stem, by replacing your current stem with one that has greater rise and/or greater length. I understand you suggest you've done this, but you may not have found the schematics you need yet.

Another option can be to switch over your grips to thick or chunky silicone grips. The thicker the silicone grip, the more cushion they offer the hands and thus give to prevent circulation from being cut off from impact. Again, I understand you claim to have tried this, but the specific type of grips that you use makes a world of difference.
  Reply
#3
It's more likely that the numbness has nothing or very little to do with hand position or grips. It's more likely related to a nerve impingement called cervical radiculopathy. You see, the C6 nerve goes from the thumb to the middle of the index finger. C7 nerve goes from the middle of the index finger to the middle of the ring finger, and C8 goes from the middle of the ring finger to the pinky, which seems to be your issue if that's what you're calling the "last two fingers." I've treated many cyclists and triathletes over the years for this. Traction will help and massage. You were on the right track with the bars. If they are too low, it will cause cervical hypertension. It could be from an old accident or injury. Further MRI or X-ray can eliminate or confirm some of these concerns.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22278-cervical-spine

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/cervical-spinal-nerves
Two Wheels
Stay Safe
Robert
"SPINMAN"
  Reply
#4
Excellent! Thanks heaps for that info Robert.

Have a great day mate Smile
  Reply
#5
[quote='Flowrider' pid='49762' dateline='1737339198']
I'm confused...

For some reason, the last two fingers on my right hand started getting numb.

I've changed my grips, put in a handlebar riser, and after a while, twisted the bar back and forwards, moved my brake and gear levers to different positions, and changed my gloves, but still, during a long ride, the last 2 fingers go numb. All the above-attempted solutions were given a long trial period, ie 60 or so ks, but no result

They don't stay numb too long.

Has this happened to anyone?

If so, do you know why and what was your remedy?

Any advice will be gratefully appreciated Smile
[/quote]

Here's a different view of the cause and solution from my advice and experience from yesterday. However, when he refers to the median, ulnar, and radial nerves, he does not credit or mention the fact that those nerve roots begin in the cervical spine, merging as the brachial plexus and then down to the hand.

Causes of Hand Numbness or Tingling

Three nerves in particular—the radial, ulnar, and median nerves—are involved in most hand numbness or tingling that occurs while riding. When any one of these nerves gets irritated or compressed, symptoms can range from the mild discomfort of pins and needles all the way to portions of one or both hands going completely numb. You can tell which nerve is unhappy by tuning in to which part of the hand is experiencing symptoms.

“The radial nerve has sensory innervation to the back of the hand, covering the thumb and the first two fingers,” says Nick Weigel, D.P.T., Mountain View, California-based physical therapist and Cat 2 cyclocross racer. “We’d typically expect to find the thumb and perhaps the first two fingers numb on the back of the hand. Typically the palm will not be numb as that is innervated by the median and ulnar nerves.”

“The median nerve, which goes through the carpal tunnel, is another culprit when compressed or irritated and can result in numbness in the thumb, index, and middle finger, and half of the ring finger,” says Kasin, an avid cyclist and former staff member of the 2010-2012 Tours de France RadioShack cycling team. “The ulnar nerve, which runs down the medial side of the arm, elbow, and all the way to the pinky, tends to be more the common problem child, resulting in the dreaded numb pinky that many cyclists are all too familiar with.”

[quote='SPINMAN' pid='49769' dateline='1737406374']
It's more likely that the numbness has nothing or very little to do with hand position or grips. It's more likely related to a nerve impingement called cervical radiculopathy. You see, the C6 nerve goes from the thumb to the middle of the index finger. C7 nerve goes from the middle of the index finger to the middle of the ring finger, and C8 goes from the middle of the ring finger to the pinky, which seems to be your issue if that's what you're calling the "last two fingers." I've treated many cyclists and triathletes over the years for this. Traction will help and massage. You were on the right track with the bars. If they are too low, it will cause cervical hypertension. It could be from an old accident or injury. Further MRI or X-ray can eliminate or confirm some of these concerns.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22278-cervical-spine

https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/cervical-spinal-nerves
[/quote]

[quote='Flowrider' pid='49762' dateline='1737339198']
I'm confused...

Here's a different view of the cause and solution from my advice and experience from yesterday. However, when he refers to the median, ulnar, and radial nerves, he does not credit or mention the fact that those nerve roots begin in the cervical spine, merging as the brachial plexus and then down to the hand.

Causes of Hand Numbness or Tingling

Three nerves in particular—the radial, ulnar, and median nerves—are involved in most hand numbness or tingling that occurs while riding. When any one of these nerves gets irritated or compressed, symptoms can range from the mild discomfort of pins and needles all the way to portions of one or both hands going completely numb. You can tell which nerve is unhappy by tuning in to which part of the hand is experiencing symptoms.

“The radial nerve has sensory innervation to the back of the hand, covering the thumb and the first two fingers,” says Nick Weigel, D.P.T., Mountain View, California-based physical therapist and Cat 2 cyclocross racer. “We’d typically expect to find the thumb and perhaps the first two fingers numb on the back of the hand. Typically the palm will not be numb as that is innervated by the median and ulnar nerves.”

“The median nerve, which goes through the carpal tunnel, is another culprit when compressed or irritated and can result in numbness in the thumb, index, and middle finger, and half of the ring finger,” says Kasin, an avid cyclist and former staff member of the 2010-2012 Tours de France RadioShack cycling team. “The ulnar nerve, which runs down the medial side of the arm, elbow, and all the way to the pinky, tends to be more the common problem child, resulting in the dreaded numb pinky that many cyclists are all too familiar with.”
Two Wheels
Stay Safe
Robert
"SPINMAN"
  Reply
#6
May I point out that it doesnt happen with recumbents or a trike.
  Reply
#7
(01-20-2025, 04:45 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote:  This is due to pressure on the hands which cuts off circulation.

Some remedies can include adjusting the height and length of your stem, by replacing your current stem with one that has greater rise and/or greater length. I understand you suggest you've done this, but you may not have found the schematics you need yet.

Another option can be to switch over your grips to thick or chunky silicone grips. The thicker the silicone grip, the more cushion they offer the hands and thus give to prevent circulation from being cut off from impact. Again, I understand you claim to have tried this, but the specific type of grips that you use makes a world of difference.
  Reply


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