Hand Numbness at Night: Carpal Tunnel or Elbow Nerve Compression?

Waking up with numbness, tingling, burning, or a cold sensation in the hand can be a sign that a nerve is being compressed. In this video, Dr. Jhade Woodall, Summit Orthopaedics' hand and wrist specialist, explains why the specific fingers affected can help identify where the problem may be occurring.

Symptoms involving the thumb and first two fingers are commonly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. Numbness or tingling in the small finger may instead be related to compression of the ulnar nerve near the elbow. Sleeping with the elbow bent can place additional pressure on that nerve and contribute to nighttime symptoms.

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the compression. Options may range from changing sleep position and keeping the elbow straighter to an in-office carpal tunnel release for an appropriate patient. Explore Summit's hand and wrist specialty care, review its hand education resources, or learn about conservative treatment options.

If numbness, tingling, or hand pain is repeatedly waking you at night, request an evaluation with Dr. Woodall in Idaho Falls or call (208) 227-1100.

Chapters

00:00 What nighttime hand numbness may mean

00:10 Carpal tunnel and median nerve compression

00:27 Carpal tunnel treatment

00:33 Nerve compression at the elbow

00:48 Keeping the elbow straight at night

A lot of people wake up with numbness or tingling in their hands. What could that mean?

Often, depending on where the symptoms occur, they can be a sign of nerve compression. The most common nerve compression is at the wrist and is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

One of the main diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness or tingling. Some patients experience a cold or burning sensation, and the symptoms can become painful enough to wake them at night. Treatment may include a carpal tunnel release, which is a procedure I perform in the office.

You can also have numbness or tingling on the other side of the hand from compression of the nerve that runs through the elbow and into the hand. A lot of us sleep with our arms bent, which can place pressure at the elbow and cause numbness or tingling in the small finger. A mainstay of treatment is keeping the elbow straight.