Q: What nerves cause a numbness in fingers, causing inability to pick up objects - and sometimes burning in fingers? Could this be related in some way to nerves in the spine?
there could a couple of things involved. One is that you may have problems with a nerve being pinched in your shoulder or neck. The other possibility could be carpal tunnel syndrome - this is quite common for people who live with RA. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually requires surgical intervention, but it's a routine surgery that usually works really well. You can read more about carpal tunnel surgery in Lisa Emrich's post about the issue.
that said, I am not a doctor and it's impossible for me to tell you exactly what's going on. I would definitely suggest that you go see your family doctor. to discuss this issue, get some tests or a referral to somebody who can help you.
good luck! Please keep us posted on what happens?
Is it all four of your fingers or just two (e.g. ring and pinky or index and middle)?
If it is just too, it very well may be cause by adaptations to having the arthritis in your hands -- I tend to push off with my elbows... Unfortunately there is a nerve that runs past your elbow on the outside of your arm that can be compressed by pushing that way. It isn't a big deal, and if I can ever remember to stop doing that, it should make the numbness go away.
That said, you should really speak to your physcian about it as it could be caused by many different things, including nerve impingement in your back, nerve damage, etc.
Hi Mary,
It's good that you have received a possible explanation to the numbness and clumsiness. But to answer your general question, yes compression in the roots exited the cervical spine can cause symptoms in the fingers. Depending upon which nerve root, the 3rd/4th fingers may be involved or the thumb/1st fingers may be involved. It important when new symptoms crop up that we visit our doctors for an evaluation. Hope you can find some relief.
Lisa
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It involves every finger (including thumbs) on both hands. It has become progressively worse and worse over the last few years. I may have found an answer at this point. I went to a seminar, given by a Rhematologist, yesterday. He indicated that the numbness may be directly related to my type II diabetes, since I have OA, not RA. Thank you so much for responding. Very caring of you.