Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

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2011-11-01 5:59 PM

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Master
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\Windsor, Ontario
Subject: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

Hi Everyone.

Just curious if anyone has experienced this? As I get farther into my swims the pinkie on my right hand gets numb.

Thanks

2011-11-01 6:04 PM
in reply to: #3747847

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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
Any color change or just numbness. Raynauds?
2011-11-01 7:05 PM
in reply to: #3747855

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Master
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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

mxr746 - 2011-11-01 7:04 PM Any color change or just numbness. Raynauds?

Just numb.

2011-11-01 7:34 PM
in reply to: #3747847

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Master
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Saratoga Springs, Utah
Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
Cubital tunnel syndrome. Repeated flexion and extention of the elbow can inflame the ulnar nerve causing your ring and pinkie fingers numbness.
2011-11-01 10:32 PM
in reply to: #3747928

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Master
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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

gerald12 - 2011-11-01 8:34 PM Cubital tunnel syndrome. Repeated flexion and extention of the elbow can inflame the ulnar nerve causing your ring and pinkie fingers numbness.

Thanks - now what?

2011-11-02 12:15 AM
in reply to: #3747847

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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
My pinkie dosn't get numb, but my hands itch like crazy! Wow I think as a group we're falling apart!!!!

2011-11-02 7:46 AM
in reply to: #3747847

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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
I've heard you can wear gloves that will help this, but I just adjusted how I hold on to the drop downs.  My problem was that the curved part of the handles was pressing against a nerve on the outside of my hand. You can google it to get more info.
2011-11-02 10:11 AM
in reply to: #3747847

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Master
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\Windsor, Ontario
Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

Here is the update on my hand condition.

Just got back from the physio therapist.

Ulnar nerve impingement - physio for 2 weeks - ice, stretch, ice, stretch, ice, stretch repeat....................... LOL. Going to mix in a bit of tens along the way as well. Guess is that it is caused by repetitive movements (elbow bend and catch during swim). He did say it was good that I did not ignore it because if I had we could have been looking at loss of strength and some long term side effects. Anyway, just thought I would share this info all of you just in case you ever experience it.

KC

2011-11-02 11:09 AM
in reply to: #3748711

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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

kc,

I have had the same problem w/ hand/pinkie numbness, so I literally feel your pain. I doubt physiotherapy is going to *fix* the long-term problem though. The root problem is a stroke issue, since this numbess doesn't crop up during normal day-to-day activities. Any plans to get your swimming looked at? I'd be curious to find out what a coach/instructor said you were doing wrong to cause the impingement to flare in the first place.

Hope the hand feels better! -Jason

2011-11-02 12:27 PM
in reply to: #3748711

Master
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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
kcgolf - 2011-11-02 8:11 AM

Here is the update on my hand condition.

Just got back from the physio therapist.

Ulnar nerve impingement - physio for 2 weeks - ice, stretch, ice, stretch, ice, stretch repeat....................... LOL. Going to mix in a bit of tens along the way as well. Guess is that it is caused by repetitive movements (elbow bend and catch during swim). He did say it was good that I did not ignore it because if I had we could have been looking at loss of strength and some long term side effects. Anyway, just thought I would share this info all of you just in case you ever experience it.

KC

Once you're allowed back in the pool, focus on more mixed training -- IM sets and include some back/breast/fly to avoid continuous repetitive motion of crawl.

2011-11-02 12:35 PM
in reply to: #3748864

Master
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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
karlaj - 2011-11-02 9:09 AM

kc,

I have had the same problem w/ hand/pinkie numbness, so I literally feel your pain. I doubt physiotherapy is going to *fix* the long-term problem though. The root problem is a stroke issue, since this numbess doesn't crop up during normal day-to-day activities. Any plans to get your swimming looked at? I'd be curious to find out what a coach/instructor said you were doing wrong to cause the impingement to flare in the first place.

Hope the hand feels better! -Jason

I don't quite agree with this because the swimming is often just aggravating something else you did -- and maybe you didn't even realize it at the time.  The stroke might be ok already.

But... it can't hurt to get someone to watch.  A coach could also help you work on controlling how much your elbow bends to protect yourself.  Even amongst strong swimmers, you'll see a wide variation in how much elbow motion they use.

2011-11-02 2:02 PM
in reply to: #3747847

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Master
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\Windsor, Ontario
Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming

Thanks Mark and Jason.

I appreciate the advice. I do have a coach watch the stroke and have been taking video so I will have her take a look and hopefully I can continue to improve the motion just in case it is the only cause of the issue. Mark, your comments are right in line with my physiotherapist as well.

Have a great day guys.

KC



Edited by kcgolf 2011-11-02 2:03 PM
2018-07-18 1:21 PM
in reply to: kcgolf

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Subject: RE: Right hand pinkie gets numb while swimming
Here is my practical approach to solving this issue. I have the same numbness in my right pinkie when swimming. It is especially aggravated in cold water swims. Today Lake Erie was very cold after this week's heavy rains. I had 4 km to do but my pinkie was numb after 2k. I know it is my ulnar nerve which actually goes from the spine to the tip of your pinkie and that it gets worse when my shoulder is stiff, due to an old injury and more so in cold water. Knowing the cause is not going to help me mobilize my hand to stretch, cup and pull the way it should, but I was more concerned about how to get this aging, beat up body through a 3.8 k ironman swim in 32 days! Here is what worked, I rolled over and stretched it with a bit of back stroke then did a bit of breast stroke as I usually do at the end of a swim workout in the pool to loosen up the shoulder. I didn't get back perfect mobility, but enough to get through my swim workout. Good luck. Katherine
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