Are my burning and shock-like sensations in my left hand symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing a burning and shock-like sensation in my left hand for a couple of days. Whenever any object grazes my thumb or index finger, I get a burning sensation. The movement of the fingers and wrist is also not so free. My grip is fine, but I feel a bit of heaviness and weakness. It started after the second dose of my COVID vaccine.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for the query. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from a burning and shock-like sensation in your left hand, especially your left thumb and index finger, for the last few days.

According to your statement, you may suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome as it usually affects the thumb and index finger and occasionally the middle and ring finger. It may cause a burning and shock-like sensation and may radiate into the hand and arm. Carpal tunnel syndrome may result from various underlying health conditions like wrist injury, diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, repetitive use, kidney failure, female sex as they have small wrists.

I suggest you do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), electromyogram, nerve conduction studies to confirm the diagnosis.

In the meantime, you can take painkillers like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Aceclofenac, and wear a splint or brace to keep your wrist in a neutral position, keep your hands warm.

Take care.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for joining again. According to your statement, you may suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, but without undergoing investigations, it cannot be confirmed.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are burning, tingling, or numbness in your palm, thumb, index, or middle fingers, weakness in your hand, shock-like sensation in your fingers, tingling sensation that can radiate into your arm, etc. But, such clinical features may also be seen in arthritis, wrist tendonitis, repetitive strain injury, thoracic outlet obstruction, and others.

The primary treatment protocol is to take painkillers such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, or Aceclofenac with or without corticosteroids. Kindly do the investigations mentioned above to identify the cause and make a diagnosis.

Take care.