Hey Pros! Need help!

[CyclChyk]

Hey girls! Its been forever it seems since I've been here. Sat out riding over the winter and my thighs are showing it! We've been back to riding for about a week now (GAWD I love it!) but my wrists are killing me!!! All my fingers go to sleep except my pinkie. This is both hands! Last year I had trouble with one hand and purchased fingerless gloves that was supposed to help. It did not help and now its even worse. I can't remember if I raise the bars, lower the bars, raise the seat...........????????????

HELP!!! (oh, and on a side note, I really missed you gals!)

[KnottedYet]

Certainly sounds carpal tunnel-y.

Can you make an appt with a doc?

Meanwhile, be very aware of holding your wrists in neutral position (like a popsicle stick is taped along the back side of your wrist) in all your activities, and if you can, try raising your bars.

Are your hands going numb at night, too? If they are, you might want to look into a pair of over-the-counter wrist braces to wear at night until you get in to the doc.

That numbness distribution has me worried. We must be kind to our Median nerves!

[CyclChyk]

Hey Knotted! yeh sadly I do have a history of tendonitis in both my wrists. I tried tonite to position my hands in several different locations on my bars, in hopes that I would find the one that eased things a bit. At one point, I felt like my right wrist was going to snap in half and almost had tears in my eyes from the pain. NEVER had it that severe last season. Kinda scared me but then I started thinking perhaps I am just an out of shape woos-bag and need to suck it up and it will get better over time??? Only it seems to be getting worse.

I seem to recall from an area bike shop owner that the numbness, if caused by the bars, will affect my pinkie and ring finger?? Mine is the opposite?

Or am I remembering things wrong?? (Its amazing how much your mind forgets - and how quickly! - as you get older..........)

[KnottedYet]

Look up carpal tunnel syndrome and see if it sounds like what you're experiencing. It's not tendonitis, it's compression of the Median nerve where it runs under the volar carpal ligament. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve damaging problem, not an irritated tendon.

The pattern of numbness (all but the pinky finger) is what has me worried.

And a history of tendonitis in both wrists just makes me worry more.

Please check with your doc?

(BTW, numbness from bars can be just about anywhere, depending on who's getting pinched, pressed, or perturbed.)

[gingergin]

I get numb fingers too and have tried everything - different gloves, more upright position, bent elbows, light grip, constant adjusting seat and handlebars, saw a hand specialist, sleep in splints......after a year of riding I am just starting to try to keep my neck, shoulders and arms relaxed and I think this may be helping some. I'm trying to keep my back pretty straight and tuck in and perch by using core strength so my hands/arms just rest on the bars.
I know what a nuisance it is so good luck!

[Nokomis]

Are your gloves snug at all? Make sure they are loose enough- try undoing the velcro mid ride or even taking one off & see if that helps at all. Also make sure your handle bars are the right width, so there isn't any pinching happening in the neck/spine/shoulders that could contribute. (Bike fit if you haven't already)

I have tendonitis too... wrists are particularly bad. There is only one hand position I can ride in, all others cause pain or numbing - and that's on the outside of the bar, either on or just under the hoods. Thumbs are up, wrists neutral. I can't hold a flat bar, nor can I do push ups due to the wrist & hand pain it causes.

Good luck - definately follow up w/ the doc to make sure nothing else is going on.

[Zen]

... nor can I do push ups due to the wrist & hand pain it causes.

Good luck - definately follow up w/ the doc to make sure nothing else is going on.

You might be able to do push ups, have you tried using a pair of dumbells and a neutral grip? I have some wrist weakness but I can do push ups when I use the dumbbells.

[Nokomis]

You might be able to do push ups, have you tried using a pair of dumbells and a neutral grip? I have some wrist weakness but I can do push ups when I use the dumbbells.

Okay, you caught me! Yes, I can & even bought a pair of handle things to assist with this - was just trying to illustrate the flat palm holding up bodyweight pain issue. However, those funky twisty pushup assist objects being infomercialed now are tempting! Ha!

[smilingcat]

Are you putting your whole upper body weight on your hand? I've noticed some people grab the handle bars really tight. Almost white knuckely...

Besides, getting your hand checked out by a doctor, you might also consider doing Pilates, or other core exercises so that you are not putting all your body weight on your hand.

Another thing to check is make sure your bike is fitted to you.