NERVE INJURY TO HANDS
The same kind of neuropathy that happens in the feet can happen in the
hands, but it is less common. Instead, what occurs more often is pinching of the nerves to the hands as they
pass through the narrow canals at the elbow and wrist. When this occurs, there is pain and tingling in the
fingers of the hand and/or the arm. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve gets pinched in the canal at the
wrist. When the ulnar nerve gets pinched at the elbow it is called ulnar nerve entrapment. Both of these
conditions occur in the absence of diabetes—for example, carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive strain injury.
Nerve conduction tests performed by neurologists can help identify carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve
entrapment. The conditions are treated with splints, anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid injections, or
surgery.
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