Many cyclists (including editors from Tanlulu) occasionally feel finger numbness during long rides, particularly in the ring and little fingers, which may even fail to straighten properly. This is actually a medical condition called ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist. In simple terms, it’s caused by improper cycling posture or incorrect hand force usage, and it’s a type of nerve damage.
The main clinical symptoms and signs include the following:
(1) History of trauma, overuse, 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 or degenerated soft tissue
(4) Special tests: ① Positive paper clip test ② Forceful wrist flexion or extension can cause wrist pain and increased numbness or pain in the little finger ③ Positive percussion test or Tinel’s sign ④ Positive resistance test ⑤ Claw 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 even during sleep, it’s already considered a severe symptom. If it’s just general finger numbness and doesn’t improve over time, the nerve may atrophy, leading to finger deformity. So this condition is quite harmful to us cyclists — mild cases affect daily life, while severe cases can lead to finger deformities. The consequences are obvious.
Below are some preventive measures:
(1) Pay attention to adjusting the height of the handlebar. If the handlebar is too high, most of the upper body weight will be pressing on the wrists, making it easier to damage the wrist nerves during long rides. Therefore, don’t set the handlebar too high.
(2) Add resting grips or auxiliary handlebars to avoid maintaining one posture for too long during the ride
(3) Loosen your wrists appropriately while riding to give the wrist nerves some rest
(4) Wear high-quality cycling gloves with cushioning (especially on bumpy roads, where nerves are under prolonged tension and intense vibration, making them prone to injury)
If some cyclists are already experiencing similar symptoms, timely treatment is needed. Treatment methods include the following:
(1) For very mild symptoms, 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,” which are available at most pharmacies. This is a vitamin B12 supplement, mainly used to treat nerve disorders in various parts of the body. Its active ingredient is coenzyme B12. Specific pharmacology isn’t detailed here — please refer to the instructions. If there’s still no relief after a month of use, move to the third option.
(3) Those with severe symptoms should seek medical attention promptly. Physical therapy can be done in hospitals, and if that proves ineffective, surgery in this area may be required.
(Also, if any similar symptoms appear, cycling must be stopped immediately, along with any activities that put prolonged pressure on the wrist)
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