My left hand is numb (but just my thumb). what could be the cause?

For the last 2 weeks, my thumb on my left hand has been numb. It's not painful, but if I try to lift anything over 40 pounds, I feel pins and needles all over that hand. I'm wondering if this is from the Fracture of the 4th Metacarpal bone(hand bone). I received when I was in Iraq(my unit was attacked long story). A long with the broken bone, I also had a laceration in between my little finger and the 4th finger, which needed about 20+ stitches to close. After everything healed, the function in my hand was normal except that my hand felt funny in that area when I close it or when I grab something (it might be because of the scar tissue). But this happened almost a year ago, and I'm wondering if this could be from my hand injury or from something esle. I don't do repetitive movements with my hands (like typing). So I don't think it's carpal tunnel. Any suggestions?

It sounds like a pinched nerve. Swelling, and/or scar tissue may build up over time causing this problem. I would suggest going to your family doctor and asking for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.


P.S. Where in the question does it mention he is a smoker? And high blood pressure? I don't understand the correlation between high blood pressure and complications from a broken hand...

Quit Smoking

a pinched nerve. if it doesn't go away you should go see your doc.but they usally heal on their own in time.

it could be high blood pressure but you should most likely have that checked out by a doctor

Yes i'd say its from the injury. I once got a cut pretty deep below my thumb on my hand and I always have had numbness in that same spot where the injury occurred. The Dr. said there could of been some nerve damage and that's what is causing my numbness. This could be the same for you. I'd see a doctor though, just to find out what is actually going on in there.

You probably severed a nerve... go see a neurologist but go to your primary care doc first ...

1. I'm not a Dr.

I've had a similar issue with my big toe. Turns out it was a pinched nerve in my back.

My guess is that it is a pinched nerve in your neck. From your neck, the nerve runs down your arm to your fingers. When I broke my hand, the gave me a shot to numb my entire arm. They stuck the needle on the side of my neck just at the base. 20 minutes later they "adjusted" the fractures and put a cast on.

Based on your past problems, I'd see a doctor could be nerve damage.

P.S. Thank you for your service, I appreciate all you have done and given.