Index Finger is numb!

[Tek]

I had taken a few weeks off from "cycling" I mean I have been commuting but I haven't gone for a ride for the purpose of exercise for about 2-21/2 weeks.

Anyway, today I went for a 30 mile ride with a break to watch some people practice for cyclocross on a hill.

My left index finger was getting numb... like falling asleep. Now this has happen to me before... my hands getting kind of numb but now I am at home and it has been two hours and my left index still feels like it is "asleep". I can type with it but it feels like when your foot falls asleep.

The whole finger feels crappy and the finger next to it only feels a little bit bad but not like the index.

What gives?

[Susan126]

I think pressure on your hand somewhere is causing the numbness. Try moving your hands around while you're cycling and maybe a different pair of gloves? Sue

[slinkedog]

I pinched a nerve in my neck many years ago and it still acts up sometimes, and the result is a numb arm on that side (right.) A lot of the numbness comes from edema compressing the nerve, but you could have pinched it, too. Hopefully it will calm down when some of the internal swelling goes down. Advil or Motrin will help because they have an anti-inflammatory.

[Tek]

Thanks.

I've kept off it for a few days. (no cycling). It feels better but not quite "right" yet.

Dunno what I did to it.

[snapdragen]

Do you wear really padded gloves? That's what caused my fingers to go numb. I switched to the Specialized Body Geometry gloves, it helped a lot. Louis Garneau makes another one I like even better - ErgoAir.

[Tek]

Originally posted by snapdragen
Do you wear really padded gloves? That's what caused my fingers to go numb. I switched to the Specialized Body Geometry gloves, it helped a lot. Louis Garneau makes another one I like even better - ErgoAir.

I wear some lake gel gloves that I love.

It was a freak thing, I am always having some sort of problem- writsts, elbows-

I had my LBS check my fit out and they said it was good.

I didn't start to feel better until I started to lift weights.

I did go a week without lifting. Still... It was quite odd.

I just realized I am going to HAVE to take my bike this evening. I wanted to give it another day... its just the real tip of my index finger that is still numb- but I have no other way of getting where I need to go so bike it shall be.

[slinkedog]

Maybe by lifting weights you were able to get strong enough to take some of your body weight off your hands. Were you lifting to strengthen your core muscles?

[Tek]

^^ LOL... nope... vainity there. Want sexy arms. I just noticed that when I started lifting, most the joint problems I was having went away. I still got numb in the hands from time to time- I still thinkI also need to change my handelbars.

I think I just might have freakishly did something. Maybe I was screwing around with my hand too much on that ride. It was the first time I tried it with a camelback on and I might have just been doing something wierd that day.

[Pedal Wench]

Oh my! I've had the exact same thing, but with my 'ring' finger. Left hand. It started during a longish (40) ride, the day after a longer (50) mile ride. It's been over a week, and it's still 'not right'. It's been slowly getting better, and this weekend's rides didn't seem to bother it - increase or decrease it, but I was on a different (although identical) bike. I try to change up my hands, but I forget sometimes.