Having numbness in your pinky finger can feel uncomfortable, but it can also affect your hand strength. It may also interfere with your ability to do daily tasks by being a distraction or by making you feel clumsy and awkward. So what causes this to happen, and is there a solution?
This article will talk about some of the potential causes of pinky finger numbness and when you should seek a doctor’s opinion.
Why Is There Numbness In Your Pinky Finger
All of the sensations in your body are transmitted to your brain via electrical impulses through your nerves. The nerves in your body can experience damage, interfering with these communications and resulting in numbness. This damage can be caused by compression, irritation, or physical trauma to the nerve.
The specific nerve in your body responsible for sensation in your pinky is the ulnar nerve, and it also gives sensation to half of the ring finger right next to it. It’s pretty common for the ulnar nerve to become compressed or irritated, as it runs through several places from your collarbone down your arm, through your elbow, and into your hand.
The most common area for ulnar nerve compression is through the cubital tunnel in the elbow – a narrow space without a lot of cushioning for the nerve. The ulnar nerve stretches and can become irritated if you spend a lot of time with your elbow bent. This can be if you use a smartphone frequently and rest it on your pinky or sleep with your elbows bent, for example.
How To Treat Numbness In Your Pinky Finger
Depending on your physical activity and other factors, your numbness may come and go. That said, there are a few steps you can take to help relieve symptoms:
- Set up your workspace in an ergonomic fashion.
- Adjust your chair to avoid resting your elbow on your desk or armrest at the computer.
- Ensure you do not lean on your elbow or put pressure on it for extended periods.
- Avoid activities that require your arm bent at the elbow for extended periods.
- Wrap a towel around your arm to help you avoid bending your elbow as you sleep.
If your symptoms persist, though, see a doctor for treatment. They can test your nerve’s function by physically moving your arm, hand, and elbow, and they may also take x-rays to find out if a bone in a particular area is compressing your nerve.
Conclusion
While there are some things you can do to relieve the numbness in your pinky finger, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with your doctor for an examination, particularly if it starts to interfere with your daily activities.
At Genesis Pain Clinic, we’re proud to be practitioners of the highest standard of interventional pain management. We offer diagnostic testing and regenerative medicine, with the mission to allow all our patients to live healthy, pain-free lives. Please give us a call if you have any questions at (913) 871-9888.
We look forward to helping you.