Could weight effect the unlar nerve??

Dear Ask The Doctor: I recently have been in waking up in soo much pain from my middle finger and ring finger (sometimes now thumb too) all the way up to my elbow and shoulder. it progessively has gotten worse. its on both sides right now and sooo painful,, im afraid i may have nerve damage. i was working as a dental assistant in an iv sedation office and was forced to lift the patients chin for hours at a time, resting my elbow on the assistant chair arm. im waiting to go for an mri, but i also sleep on my hands with my elbows bent and i have gained a lil wait in my arms..could the extra weight have contributed to this progression??

Dear Gina: The symptoms that you're experiencing (pain in the middle and ring finger) could be the result of carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a compressive neuropathy of the median nerve because of edema or hypertrophy of the flexor synovium. The pain experience in carpal tunnel syndrome is a typical pins and needle sensation that is generally worse at night than during the day. Severe cases may even present with pain that is static and radiating to the forearm and elbow.

Your job as dental assistant requiring repetitive strain on the wrist would have aggravated the condition. A diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is make by physical examination and MRI in certain cases. The mainstay of treatment involves rest, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and immobilization of wrist with splints. Severe pain may even require corticosteroid injections and release surgery.