HomeAnswersNeurologynerve compressionWhy do I have spasms in my hand with pins and needle feeling?

I have spasms and pins and needles sensation in my hand. Please help.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At December 27, 2016
Reviewed AtAugust 3, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am having spasms in my hand. I had it briefly in the left hand and then, my right arm was feeling numb. This morning my right hand has spasms on all fingers at different occasions with some pins and needle feeling. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Youmight have nerve compression from cervical spondylitis. Please consult your general practitioner (GP) to get an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Could this have been caused by a minor neck injury that I had at football? I am petrified that it is motor neuron disease (MND), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Parkinson's.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Spasms and pins and needle sensations are not features of MND (motor neuron disease), ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or Parkinson's disease. They indicate that there is probably nerve or spinal cord compression from spondylitis or disc prolapse. Sensory loss is not seen in MND, ALS or Parkinson's disease. Yes, football might have aggravated it by increasing the stress on the cervical spine. An MRI of the cervical spine will help us understand the cause of symptoms. If the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not conclusive, then an ENMG test (electroneuromyography) needs to be done.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the prompt reply and reassuring message. I also have slight numbness on the right side of my face and bottom right eyelid. There is no twitching. My shoulders (mainly right side) are very stiff and sensitive. How do I go about getting an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or electroneuromyography (ENMG) test done?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Spasm and numbness of one half of the face put the pathology within the brain or at the craniovertebral junction. You need to consult your general practitioner (GP) first. He will examine you to see whether you really have numbness and sensory loss in the face and in the arms as described by you. If you do have numbness if the face and arms,you will need to do an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cervical spine to look for conditions that could have caused this. Your general practitioner (GP) will refer you to a specialist either a neurologist or a neurosurgeon, who will also examine you and ask for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroneuromyography (ENMG).

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

This is sounding more serious again. Although the right side of the face feels numb, I have movement in it and feeling. Today, my general practitioner (GP) is unavailable. This entire situation is dominating my thoughts and I am suffering with anxiety as a result. Is there someone I could visit to get that checked?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. I am sorry if I made you anxious. You may visit the nearest A and E (accident and emergency department) and get yourself examined. The emergency room (ER) physicians will also be able to distinguish if you need some sort of imaging on an emergency basis or you can consult your general practitioner (GP) later during the week. From what I gather, it is not an emergency. I would, however, advise you to visit the nearest emergency room (ER) to make sure you can wait to see the GP later in the week.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I was already very anxious. Just to clarify, can I worry less about motor neuron disease (MND), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's?

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. You should visit the A and E (accident and emergency departments) if you are very anxious and want to get it out of your mind that this is not an emergency. And, I believe thatit is highly unlikelythat you have motor neuron disease (MND), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Parkinson's disease.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ambekar Sudheer
Dr. Ambekar Sudheer

Neurosurgery

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