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Last and Ring Finger Numbness in Cyclists

April 2, 2008

Does your last finger and EXACTLY half of your ring finger feel numb or experience a tingling sensation? If yes, there is a good chance that your ulnar nerve (see diagram) is compressed.


Ulnar nerve compression

dth=”230″ border=”0″ src=”http://mcr.coreconcepts.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ulnar-nerve-compress-s.jpg” alt=”Ulnar nerve compres

The two main reasons for this compression:

  1. Too much pressure over a prolonged period on the "knife" edge of your palm
  2. Holding your wrist in a "cocked" position for prolonged periods of time

What you can do:

  1. Wear padded gloves
  2. Pad your handle bars
  3. Frequently change hand positions and avoid prolonged gripping. (If you are using the old style downtube shifters, you can alternate hands when changing gears.)

If the numbness or tingling sensation does not disappear when these changes, drop by to our physiotherapist. The nerve compression may be of a more complicated structural form higher up along your forearm.


If you have questions on this topic, feel free to email our physiotherapists.


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Filed Under Cycling, Sports Injury, Sports Injury Management 

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