General finger numbness, if not improving over time, can lead to nerve atrophy and finger deformity. Therefore, this condition is quite harmful to cyclists—mild cases affect daily life, while severe ones may cause hand and finger deformities, with predictable consequences.
Many cyclists (including myself) occasionally experience finger numbness during long rides, especially in the ring and little fingers, which may even fail to straighten properly. This is actually a medical condition known as ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist, simply put, caused by improper cycling posture or hand exertion, and is part of nerve damage.
The main clinical manifestations and signs include the following:
(1) History of trauma, strain, or prolonged exposure to cold and dampness
(2) Weakness or pain in the wrist and fingers, abnormal sensation in the distribution area of the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve in the hand, and hypothenar atrophy
(3) Tenderness in the soft tissue between the pisiform and hamate bones, with hardened and degenerated soft tissue
(4) Special tests: ① Positive paper clip test ② Forceful wrist flexion or extension can cause wrist pain and worsened numbness or pain in the little finger ③ Positive percussion test or Tinel's sign ④ Positive resisted test ⑤ Claw-like finger deformity.
Of course, there are varying degrees of severity—how do you know it’s serious?
If you feel finger pain before going to sleep or during the night, it’s already considered a severe symptom. Even general finger numbness, if not improving over time, can lead to nerve atrophy and finger deformity. Therefore, this condition is quite harmful to cyclists—mild cases affect daily life, while severe ones may cause hand and finger deformities, with predictable consequences.
Here are some preventive measures:
(1) Pay attention to adjusting the height of the handlebar. If it’s too high, most of your upper body weight will be pressing on your wrists, making nerve damage more likely during prolonged cycling. So don’t set the handlebar too high.
(2) Add rest grips or secondary handlebars to avoid maintaining one posture for too long during cycling.
(3) Loosen your wrists appropriately while riding to give the wrist nerves some rest.
(4) Wear high-quality cycling gloves with cushioning effects. (Especially on bumpy roads, where the nerves are under constant tension along with intense vibration, they are prone to injury.)
If some cyclists are already showing similar symptoms, timely treatment is needed. Treatment methods include the following:
(1) In very mild cases, soak your hands in warm water to relax them. If there’s no improvement within a week, proceed to the second option.
(2) Take “Mecobalamin tablets,” available at most pharmacies. This is a vitamin B12 supplement, mainly indicated for neuropathy in various parts of the body. Its active ingredient is coenzyme B12. Specific pharmacology isn’t detailed here—you can refer to the instructions yourself. If there’s still no symptom relief after a month, proceed to the third option.
(3) Severe cases should seek medical attention promptly. Physical therapy can be done at the hospital, and if that proves ineffective, surgery in this area may be required.
(Also, once any similar symptoms appear, cycling must be stopped immediately, as well as any prolonged activities that put pressure on the wrist.)