Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Hands and Finger Numbness
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition is the most common cause of bilateral hand and finger numbness, especially if the numbness is primarily in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. It occurs due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cervical Radiculopathy: Numbness in the hands and fingers can also be caused by nerve root compression in the cervical spine. This condition can affect different fingers depending on which nerve root is compressed.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Conditions like diabetes can cause peripheral neuropathy, leading to numbness in the hands and feet. This is a common cause of bilateral symptoms.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels that pass into the thoracic outlet (the space between your collarbone and first rib) can cause numbness in the hands and fingers.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: Although less common, multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause numbness in various parts of the body, including the hands and fingers. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause neurological symptoms, including numbness in the hands and feet. This condition can be treated with supplementation.
- Spinal Cord Compression: Compression of the spinal cord can cause numbness, weakness, and other neurological symptoms. This is a medical emergency that requires prompt attention.
Rare Diagnoses
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome: This is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system, leading to numbness, weakness, and sometimes paralysis.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause peripheral neuropathy, among other symptoms, leading to numbness in the hands and feet.
- Amyloidosis: A condition caused by an abnormal protein (amyloid) that can accumulate in various organs, including nerves, leading to peripheral neuropathy and numbness.