A child with numbness in his hands likely has carpal tunnel syndrome. Adults are diagnosed with this condition more often than children, but children are still susceptible to the pain and numbness of this syndrome. Consult with your child's doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment of the numbness.
Identification
Numbness in the hands and fingers is one of the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. A pins and needles tingling sensation is often present in the thumb and all fingers except the pinkie. You probably notice your child shaking his hands at an attempt to relieve the symptoms. There is a vague pain in the wrist that radiates up the palm side of the forearm or down the hand. Your child has difficulties making a fist and has a weak grip.
Cause
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by the median nerve being pinched as it passes through the carpal tunnel of your wrist. The median nerve provides feeling to the palm side of the thumb and the middle fingers. A child with carpal tunnel syndrome possibly compressed the median nerve from a wrist fracture or dislocation. Repetitive movements of the wrists are also a common culprit of carpal tunnel syndrome. Children use repetitive movements while writing, typing, playing video games or playing instruments. Activities that involve bending the wrist upward or downward can also pinch the median nerve, so a child doing cartwheels, handstands or other gymnastics moves is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Hand movements that involve repetitive grasping, such as swinging a bat, holding a hockey stick or swinging on the bars in gymnastics can also result in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment
If your child has mild carpal tunnel syndrome, he can wear a splint at night to keep his wrists from bending while he sleeps. This allows his wrists to relax overnight and reduces the amount of inflammation in the carpal tunnel. Give your child over-the-counter ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and pain. If the pain is severe, your child's doctor may give him an injection of corticosteroids into the wrist. Surgery is the last resort and involves cutting the ligament that's pressing on the median nerve.
Prevention
Your child can prevent carpal tunnel by taking frequent breaks during sports activities that involve bending the wrist. Limit the amount of time that your child plays video games or uses the computer for non-study activities. Position your child's chair and computer so his wrists don't have to bend up or down while he types.
