Thread: numb little pinky and ring finger

Are you left handed?

i am mate............ why is that ??

I had numbness, tingling and burning in one hand a few years ago that was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome.

It happened when I spent some trying to learn to paddle a K1. Because my nervousness made me grip the paddle harder, it created a problem that had not surfaced during 20 or so years of paddling TK1s and canoes where I had a more relaxed grip.

Do you do repetitive tasks with a firm grip on some tool with little opportunity to relax and let blood flow everywhere it should around the wrist and hands?

I figured that if you use a knife for work and you are left handed then it could be down to what used to be known as Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome. The tubes through which ligaments connecting the muscles to the bones move become inflamed through repetitive use.

At this point I would recommend that you see a Doctor. (I'm an Architect by training).

Originally Posted by cucinadio

recently have developed in my little pinky and half my ring finger
numbness, tingling, and incredible burning pain
during operation of my beloved tools...so much so that I'm off on leave until the prob can be fix...its worrying when you loos grip of a 40cm carving knife and it goes astray...

just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same symptoms and what was the outcome

cheers

Get it checked out mate! Could be serious. If you get any pains further up your arm or chest - DO NOT IGNORE IT - seek immediate help.


On the same token it could be something much less serious. I could make lots of comparisons with "people I know" but probably best if you seek out your GP, (take along a Landy mag so you don't have to read New Idea while you are waiting) and get an expert opinion.

yhea have done so its all good at this stage ...it looks like a ulnar nerve entrapment ..the doc getting a sec opinion from another neuro..so will have to wait and see ...lm just asking if anyone else has experienced the same thing and what was th outcome of it all ..the doc reckons if i have to have surgery ..it will be more than a few months be for I'm back at work .....(thanks god for work cover hey )......


and even then he doesn't advocate that the surgery will fully recover the situ but is hopefull ...im a bit worried as a mate of mine (a fellow chef )...wasnt able to return to the job after 20yrs and now is working in admin at a really reduced rate than what where on ..so...

There is also a nerve that runs past the neck of your radius (bigger forearm bone) that when bashed can cause exactly the symptoms you describe.

I have done this a few times recently and **** it hurts.


Doctor is your friend.

yes that what he describes as the ulnar nerve ...but mine has been caused by way to much time on the knifes......in hes opinion ............it all started about DEC and i was getting numbness on and off and incredible burning through the palm and fingers to the extent that i simply lost grip of my knife, tongs, and any pan i picked up ..other chef on this site will understand the pressures we put our selves under...and so will many tradies I'm sure........this continued as we chefs have a culture of "SUCK IT UP"...but it has just got to the point that i simply cant do the job ,...and trust me ...when your the man ...you go a lot harder than the rest of them ..............