Stix Zadinia

For about a month now (since I got off the bike) my right hand has constantly been numb. I believe it has to do with a bicycle fall I had months ago (when a delivery guy motorcyclist decided it was a good idea to climb on to the sidewalk and charge at me full speed ahead)..

It was a painful fall, but at that moment I had no other choice but to get up and pedal my way back home (for another couple of miles); the pain receded quickly as I kept on commuting daily, but exactly since I got off the bike a month ago (courtesy of a thief) the numbness began, and has been getting stronger since then, to the point where I'm getting more worried.
I also use the PC's mouse with that hand, so that may also have something to do with it; however, the numbness started manifesting itself exactly as I got off the mtb, so I'm guessing that's the main probable cause, somehow.

I'm going to set up an appointment with a hand specialist; however (and since this seems to be a cycling-specific injury), I'd like to ask you good people which things could probably be causing this, things I should be looking at, some exercises, advice, etc.

I'm not asking for an official medical diagnose of course; just general ideas, or tips on how to proceed with this.


Thanks much

Machka 

1. Yes, see a Dr.

2. What part of your hand?

3. Your hand started hurting when you stopped cycling?

Nightshade

Yes, see a doctor ASAP to avoid nerve damage.

https://www.hughston.com/hha/a_15_3_2.htm

agent pombero

I agree, see a doctor.

The next thing to do is schedule a professional bike fit. It is worth every dollar.

jowilson

+1 on the bike fit.

It could be fibromyalgia. My mom has this and she occasionally has numbness in her left or right foot.

Josh

Shamrock

carpal tunnel?

JohnDThompson 

Or medial/palmar nerve damage from the fall. Best to get it checked out, in any case.

Stix Zadinia

I think it may be some nerve damage/compression. Oddly enough yes, the hand went numb as I got off the bike. The accident was some 4-6 months prior to me getting off the bike.
The hand goes numb, as in when you sit on an extremity, or when you sit around in a certain position and the leg goes numb (not as much, though).. It's annoying -and somewhat scary- having this feeling all the time.

What do you mean by bike fit? What incorrect measure(s) can cause hand discomfort/numbness on the bike?

Machka 

The whole hand, or just part of the hand?

Stix Zadinia

The whole hand, and fingers..

Machka 

OK, and again, the timeline ...

You crashed.
4-6 months later you stopped cycling.
The hand started going numb the next day.
It has been doing numb for a month now.
You have not cycled in that month.

If that is the correct timeline, go to a Dr or chiropractor and tell them that.


BTW, in answer to your question: "What do you mean by bike fit? What incorrect measure(s) can cause hand discomfort/numbness on the bike?"

The fit of a bicycle is very, very important. You and the bicycle are a machine together. If part of the machine is not set up correctly, the machine will not be efficient, and could break down (in this case, that means you could develop an injury).

This is why we keep repeating over and over in your other thread that the fit of the bicycle is so much more important than the look of the bicycle.

More specifically ... a few examples ...
-- if your bicycle is set up so that you are putting too much weight on your hands, you'll have hand, arm, and shoulder issues.
-- if you find that you have to push yourself back while you ride, you'll have hand, triceps, and shoulder issues.
-- if you have to reach too far to rest comfortably on the hoods, and end up locking your elbows, you'll have hand numbness, arm and shoulder issue.

Stix Zadinia

Ah, thanks, yes I failed to mention 'bike fit' specific to hand issues. Thanks for clarifying and will take this into account

SpeshulEd 

On the upside, you can perform "the stranger" after every bike ride!

https://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...the%20stranger

So wrong, but I saw the opportunity and had to use it!

Stix Zadinia

No there's no fun in having the hand numb like this.. It's more like that anxiety you get when you've been sitting down and the leg goes numb, and then you get up and start moving around for the unpleasantness to pass.. except mine doesn't