Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 8/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: I wasa told that it could be caused by my type 2 dieabets the Dr said not to ,use it but it is hard not to use my thumb

ANSWER: numb, numb thumb, staten island chiropractor, dr. victor dolan, thumb, stten island pinched nerve




Hello Elizabeth,

Thank You for your question.   I am sorry for your pain/ numbness.

Your numb thumb could be caused by many different causes.  Your diabetes could be to blame.  A local injury could be the cause.  Perhaps a 'pinched nerve' in your wrist/ elbow/ shoulder or neck could be the culprit.

From your question, I see you have Diabetes.  How long have you had Diabetes?  Do you have any vision or kidney problems?  Do you have any diabetic peripheral neuropathy?  Are your feet numb?  Are you slow to heal?  
         See Also: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&source=hp&q=diabetic+peripheral+neuropa ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetic_neuropathy .

Have you recently injured the thumb?  Do you remember any injury to that hand or thumb in the past?

I would recommend seeing a Neurologist of Chiropractor who may perform an EMG test.  The EMG (see: http://www.webmd.com/brain/electromyogram-emg-and-nerve-conduction-studies )
could tell us if this is nerve damage and perhaps if it is related to diabetes, or some other nerve pathology.

You need further testing.  I see that you are from Newfoundland Canada, so you are very lucky- you need a test (EMG/ncv) and you should get it as soon as possible, and- at no cost to you!- unlike us in the states!

Get further testing.  Determine the ultimate cause.  If it is your diabetes, get your diabetes under control better!

You need further testing to make informed decisions.  An ISOLATED thumb numbness sounds like nerve damage, or an intrinsic injury to that limb/ hand/ thumb.  But you need further testing, more in-depth evaluation.  An ISOLATED thumb, without the other hand being involved, without foot/ toe complaints, I think, would be unusual to be a diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Get further testing.

Again, I thank you for your question.  Good luck with your complaint!

Your Staten Island Chiropractor,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP


       

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have not injured my thumb and I have had diabetes for about 3 to 4  years it is my right thumb that is the one I  use most of the time my Dr. has said that my blood sugers are good  I do not know how to stop using my right thunb I have no other problems except I  did have some pain and tingling in my thumb

Answer
numb thumb, staten island chiropractor, dr. victor dolan, thumb, pinched nerve, numbness, pain,




Hello Elizabeth,

Thank you for your follow-up question and additional information.

So,,, you have never injured this thumb,,,, you have diabetes only 3- 4 years ,,, you have NO other problems besides the right thumb numb.

How is your hemoglobin A- 1- C ?  You state your diabetes is under control, so your hemoglobin A- 1- C  should be low or almost 'normal'.  
         I do not think it is your diabetes, but I would ask about that HgbA-1-C level = this shows really- whether your blood sugar is under good control.

No injury to the thumb, so now perhaps we can think of a pinched nerve.  Have you had any 'carpal tunnel'?= a pinched nerve in the wrist & neck.  Have you had any elbow, shoulder or neck complaints?  Have you had any stiff necks?
         Perhaps you have a 'pinched nerve'.  This can be evaluated by that EMG/ncv discussed in the earlier post.  Again, from what we hear in the states- you are lucky that you are in Canada and can get free tests (EMG, maybe an MRI of the cervical spine ), and free treatment, free healthcare.  
         People often present to my Staten Island Chiropractor office with numb fingers, numbness in the wrist or hands, or even entirely numb arms; often this originates in the neck!

I also do not know how you could 'not use your thumb', that would mean 'not using your right hand'.

I do not think it is your diabetes from what you tell me.

Now you deny any injury/ trauma to that hand/ thumb.

I would repeat/ recommend:
I would  see a Neurologist or Chiropractor who may perform an EMG test.  The EMG (see: http://www.webmd.com/brain/electromyogram-emg-and-nerve-conduction-studies )
could tell us if this is nerve damage, or some other nerve pathology.

You need further testing.  I see that you are from Newfoundland Canada, so you are very lucky- you need a test (EMG/ncv) and you should get it as soon as possible, and- at no cost to you!- unlike us in the states!

Get further testing.  Determine the ultimate cause.  
        You need further testing to make informed decisions.  An ISOLATED thumb numbness sounds like nerve damage.  But you need further testing, more in-depth evaluation.  An ISOLATED thumb, without the other hand being involved, without foot/ toe complaints, I think, would be unusual to be a diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Get further testing.

Again, I thank you for your question.  Good luck with your complaint!

Your Staten Island Chiropractor,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP