Rachel Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 How concerned should I be if suddenly I have little to no feeling in the padded part of my thumbs, it's maybe a dime sized area? I can feel pressure, but if I got a cut or splinter, I wouldn't feel it. I did go backpacking this weekend. We did 30 mikes total and it was extremely hot and muggy Saturday. Then Sunday was challenging due to the rain. I didn't notice the numbness until I was on my way home. I assume this is a random side effect of exerting so much physical effort for so many hours over the weekend, but it if may be the beginning of some sort of medical condition I'll call my doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 It's on both thumbs? Were you putting pressure on your thumbs when you were hiking, maybe holding onto the straps in front while you were carrying your backpack? My sister went on a long bike ride and held her hands a certain way on the handles that even though it didn't hurt at all, it caused some numbness in her fingers (I can't remember where exactly). It actually was nerve damage that resulted by how she was resting her hands on the handles for so many miles. She did get feeling back eventually, but it took months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Calluses, possibly? Were you scrambling, using your hands on rocks or trees? Do you have a habit of tucking your hands/thumbs under your backpack straps (I sometimes find myself doing that)? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 I had poles and the trail was super muddy and slick so I was definitely gripping them tightly. It is in both thumbs but the right one is better compared to yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 It's probably a pinched nerve (though having it on both sides is a little odd). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) I'll bet it has to do with how you were applying pressure on your thumbs while holding the poles. That's how it was for my sister too, both sides were affected. Edited May 22, 2017 by J-rap 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 22, 2017 Author Share Posted May 22, 2017 I'll bet it has to do with how you were applying pressure on your thumbs while holding the poles. That's how it was for my sister too, both sides were affected. That's what I was thinking too, then I made the mistake of googling. I'm going to give it a few days and then talk to my doctor. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in SJ Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 It is a good sign that at least one is better today than yesterday. Hope everything heals quickly. Amber in SJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 I bet it was either your grip on the poles or, if you had a backpack on, it could have pinched nerves up in your back/shoulders that are connected to your thumbs. I hope you get feeling back soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdbates78 Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) Any chance it could be Raynaud's? Edited May 23, 2017 by tdbates78 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Any chance it could be Raynaud's? I don't know, I never heard of Raynauds so I looked it up just now. My symptoms are a little different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underthebridge Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 The padded part of the thumb is innervated by a branch of the radial nerve, which goes down your arm from your neck and through your shoulder. The numbness is caused by pressure on this nerve from your backpack straps and should go away over the next few days. Next time, try to put more weight on your hips and take breaks by removing your pack. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 The padded part of the thumb is innervated by a branch of the radial nerve, which goes down your arm from your neck and through your shoulder. The numbness is caused by pressure on this nerve from your backpack straps and should go away over the next few days. Next time, try to put more weight on your hips and take breaks by removing your pack. Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) The padded part of the thumb is innervated by a branch of the radial nerve, which goes down your arm from your neck and through your shoulder. The numbness is caused by pressure on this nerve from your backpack straps and should go away over the next few days. Next time, try to put more weight on your hips and take breaks by removing your pack. That makes sense. I did take my pack off on breaks, but probably could have used a few more breaks. Saturday was a really long day, then Sunday it rained so we kept moving. Edited May 23, 2017 by Rach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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