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Finger Numbness - Injury Related

765 Views | 12 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by Kool
canadianAg
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AG
For the docs on this board, I caught a fish hook in my finger pretty good this past Saturday. Went to ER (Urgent care wouldn't do it) to get it out.

The tip of my finger is still numb (about the last 75% of the finger past the last joint )and I'm wondering if this is something I should be worried about (permanent nerve damage) or if it's likely just from internal swelling in the finger possibly and should return with time? I know I can go see my PCP but Texags knows everything.
aggiederelict
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Give it time. Should heal just fine.
htxag09
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AG
About 2 years ago, maybe a little longer, I cut the tip of my left index finger pretty good. Went to urgent care and they stitched it up.

That finger tip is still numb.
Kool
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AG
It kind of depends on which finger it is and what you do for a living and/or for fun. The sensory nerves run along the sides of the fingers. The hook probably went right through it. Chances are it will heal up just fine, though. If it were me, being a surgeon, I would have seen a hand surgeon and had it explored for a possible nerve repair (after looking at my disability policy and doing some quick math, of course) ASAP.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
canadianAg
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AG
Ya when he pushed the hook through, he pushed it out the side of my finger just past where the fingernail starts (that's where it was going anyways).

It's most annoying because it's my index finger and it's making typing on a keyboard a little tricky.
Kool
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AG

I learned this trick when I was little. Curve your finger over, and mark along the corners that the skinfolds make, as I have done. That is roughly the path of the nerves that gives sensation to your finger. That is how you can put in a very tiny amount of local anaesthetic to do a "digital block" and numb your finger. That's probably where it was injured. You are awarded no CME for reading this post. But you learned something.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
canadianAg
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AG
Sooooo should i expect this to be permanent given it appears to have gone right through it?
Kool
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AG
No, not necessarily. How for down that line was the injury? Nerves, when severed, will send out messages forwards and backwards and try to find their way back and actually grow across and heal the injury. That is an extremely slow process. If there is a ton of swelling in the region, it is also possible that is what is making it numb.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
canadianAg
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AG
It basically came out at the very end of your line, although on the other side of the finger between index and middle
Kool
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AG
The line has two ends to it. I'm not sure which end you're talking about. If it's at the tip of the finger, I wouldn't worry about it at all. If it's at the base, and you are going to be bothered long-term by having that area numb, I would consult with a hand surgeon and see if they think it is worth repairing.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
canadianAg
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AG
Fingernail end. Well hopefully improves over time because I type a lot for work and it's annoying not feeling the keyboard
Random Ag
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AG
FWIW, my husband lost most of the fleshy soft tip of his ring finger (just avoided the nail) in a woodworking router accident. It took about 6 months, but he regained feeling in the finger to be able to play guitar.
Kool
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AG
I just spoke with a hand surgeon who said what I thought he would say. Usually don't operate on injuries past the last knuckle, and it will very likely come back on its own anyway. Unless you are a world-class something or another that needs sensation in the tip of your finger. The nerve fibers have already branched out by that point and they are extremely small and difficult to repair. They will normally find a way to repair on their own. Good luck.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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