Differential Diagnosis for Hand Numbness
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is the most common cause of hand numbness, especially in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow or wrist can cause numbness in the little and ring fingers.
- Radiculopathy: Nerve root compression in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) can cause numbness in the hand, depending on which nerve root is affected.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands, often due to diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or alcohol abuse.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Sudden onset of hand numbness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like facial weakness, speech difficulties, or vision changes, could indicate a stroke or TIA.
- Spinal Cord Injury or Compression: Trauma or conditions like spinal stenosis can compress the spinal cord, leading to numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the hands.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that can cause numbness, weakness, and vision problems, among other symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels between the neck and shoulder can cause hand numbness, among other symptoms.
- Brachial Plexus Injury: Trauma to the network of nerves that conducts signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand can cause numbness, weakness, or paralysis.
- Tumors (e.g., schwannomas, neurofibromas): Rarely, tumors can compress nerves, leading to hand numbness.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause peripheral neuropathy, leading to hand numbness, among other symptoms.