Hand Numbness-The Final Word
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, MO.
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
ORIGINAL: bezoar
The hand numbness many of us experience, especially those of us in the later years, is technically called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). There are many causes for CTS, not all from riding bikes. Ours is caused by irritation of the Median Nerve brought about by the fixed position of the hand/wrist when holding the throttle and the high frequency vibration of the engine transmitted through the throttle grip.
The Median Nerve is one of three that enter the hand through the wrist. This nerve enters on the palm side of the wrist through an anatomic "tunnel" whose dimensions can become altered for a variety of reasons (thyroid disesae, diabetes, pregnancy, amyloidosis and trauma). On occasion, the ulnar nerve (funny bone) can exhibit the same symptoms at the side of the wrist that involves the 4th and 5th fingers. This is called Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome. The third nerve, the Radial Nerve is rarely affected in this way. Chronic irriation of the Median nerve can cause persistent tingling, numbness, burning, strength loss and muscle wasting in those muscles innervated by the Median Nerve. In these cases, picking up or manipulating small objects (for instance coins), buttoning buttons and writing can all be adversely affected.
Protection from this syndrome has been well discussed and has various solutions. Basically anything that relaxes the grip and changes the possition of the wrist is enough. In cases where the problem remains chronic, medical and/or surgical intervention should be undertaken in an effort to preserve nerve and hand function.
So, don't be too macho for your own good. If you have numbness and tingling or burning in your throttle hand, fess up and do something the alleviate it for the protection and preservation of your hand.
If you have any other medical questions, come visit me at AllExperts.com in General Medicine (let me know if your from this board)
Charles Cusumano, PA-C, FMP
Physician Assistant Certified
Family Medicine Practitioner
The hand numbness many of us experience, especially those of us in the later years, is technically called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). There are many causes for CTS, not all from riding bikes. Ours is caused by irritation of the Median Nerve brought about by the fixed position of the hand/wrist when holding the throttle and the high frequency vibration of the engine transmitted through the throttle grip.
The Median Nerve is one of three that enter the hand through the wrist. This nerve enters on the palm side of the wrist through an anatomic "tunnel" whose dimensions can become altered for a variety of reasons (thyroid disesae, diabetes, pregnancy, amyloidosis and trauma). On occasion, the ulnar nerve (funny bone) can exhibit the same symptoms at the side of the wrist that involves the 4th and 5th fingers. This is called Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome. The third nerve, the Radial Nerve is rarely affected in this way. Chronic irriation of the Median nerve can cause persistent tingling, numbness, burning, strength loss and muscle wasting in those muscles innervated by the Median Nerve. In these cases, picking up or manipulating small objects (for instance coins), buttoning buttons and writing can all be adversely affected.
Protection from this syndrome has been well discussed and has various solutions. Basically anything that relaxes the grip and changes the possition of the wrist is enough. In cases where the problem remains chronic, medical and/or surgical intervention should be undertaken in an effort to preserve nerve and hand function.
So, don't be too macho for your own good. If you have numbness and tingling or burning in your throttle hand, fess up and do something the alleviate it for the protection and preservation of your hand.
If you have any other medical questions, come visit me at AllExperts.com in General Medicine (let me know if your from this board)
Charles Cusumano, PA-C, FMP
Physician Assistant Certified
Family Medicine Practitioner
Well....DUUUUHHH [sm=joke.gif] Thanks for the info.............I knew it wasn't JUST because I'm getting olDER (not old)
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
Normally, I might buy the CTS if not for the fact that Ive experienced it for my entire riding life...40 yrs. I had it riding rigids & still have it on my 07 SG. Im fairly sure it comes from the death grip I use on the controls. I have found that larger diameter soft grips do help out... but eventually I have to use the throttle lock to relieve the numbness. One day, I may even get cruise control. But I dont think of it until I can no longer feel my fingers.
Jim
Jim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
I say thank you for the informative post. You sound as if you have some credentials and may be somewhat of a medical authority on the subject. We have had many threads relating to this annoying problem.I suffer from it myself.Thank you again for the post!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 24
From: Greenfield, WI
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
ORIGINAL: bezoar
Seems I may have unintendedly violated forum rules. Not my intention at all. I appologize for this as I am not trolling in any sense of the word.
Seems I may have unintendedly violated forum rules. Not my intention at all. I appologize for this as I am not trolling in any sense of the word.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
Well, to offer an alternative possibility here, give http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibration_white_finger a read too. This sort of thing affects long-term chainsaw users, etc. and there's much in common between what they do and what we do. It doesn't bother me that I'm aware of, 'course my RKC came stock with electronic cruise control. I didn't even really use it for the first couple thousand miles but it gets turned on fairly regularly now.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
Thanks for the post, Bezoar, but you're dead wrong on one point. Yours is not the final word on this topic. There are no final words on any topic on these forums!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
RE: Hand Numbness-The Final Word
Hey Charles, thanks for the info.
Maybe I'll go to your othr site and ask about the friggin arthritis in my knees. I ride great, but I get off the bike and hobble around like someone took a baseball bat to both my knees. I wish someone had some magic for this that didn't involve a whole bunch of expensive aftermarket metal installed in me with a couple months of downtime.
Maybe I'll go to your othr site and ask about the friggin arthritis in my knees. I ride great, but I get off the bike and hobble around like someone took a baseball bat to both my knees. I wish someone had some magic for this that didn't involve a whole bunch of expensive aftermarket metal installed in me with a couple months of downtime.