Numbness in right hand

[phil_rad]

On my right hand the fingers are numb, also I have almost no strength in that hand. I've been using Ergon grips but they seem to put more pressure on my hands than regular grips. Do any of you have some advice for me? Its been four weeks since I first noticed this, and it's not getting better. Yes, i went to a Doc. but he didn't tell me much.

Thanks!

Phil

[chrisx]

Is back of right grip lower than the left one? both grips not at same angel?
Can you move your seat back an inch? or raise handle bars a little?  Bars to low or to close to seat means hands are supporting more weight.
Most pain comes from improper bike fit.

[phil_rad]

I have to say that I've never had problems like this before, this came after six days on the TDR. Maybe because of so much riding, 640 miles in 6 days? No, grips were the same angle, seat was back as far as I could put it. In training no problems. Also seat and bars about the same height.

[AZTtripper]

I really like my ergon grips, but I do tend to ride them a little low as they can cause a pressure point. The way mine are set up I don't really notice the extra surface area until I get tired and start to sag onto it may or may not make any difference but that's how I like mine.

As for that numb tingling sensation I would bet it will go away eventually. After my 2004 AZT trip my finger's tingled for at least 6 months. At the end of this years AZT 300 I had a burning feeling in on the tip of the long finger of my right hand it lasted over a month but is all gone now. 

Tim

[phil_rad]

I just got back from the Doc, he said it was good that I stopped when I did. I rode six days on this years TDR. Anyway, the damage that was done is substantial, first from the backpack and secondly from the grips. So I have damaged nerves in my shoulder that I didn't even notice and the damage to my right hand. Oh, and three toes on each foot are also numb but that doesn't bother me. I guess I'll be laying low for awhile.  Live and learn.

Phil

[trebor]

I too suffered from numb hands after long-long rides. Not on training rides so much. I really think it comes from the repeated abuse with lack of rest from multi day rides. Some here on the forum recommend exercise balls for the hands to build strength and increase circulation.

I have switched from ergo grips (Specialized BG style) to a old fashion foam grip with a little bit of bar tape and have ditched the camelbak. I have had no hand numbness since switch.

[sfuller]

Phil - I'm dealing with the same thing in my right hand. Based on what I've read it appears to be ulnar and median nerve compression. Shoulder and forarms are the likely culprits right now for me too, although I was using an Ergon BC3 during TransWisconsin. I'm assuming that most of mine came from being on my Fargo's drops for 300+ miles. Headed to the doctor tomorrow as well.

[phil_rad]

Its been four weeks since I scratched from the TDR and there hasn't been to much improvement. It will take a long time for it to heal properly, in the meantime I'll just do some running. Or I could learn to ride a unicycle!

@sfuller, hope you get better soon.

Phil

[Fettis]

Hi Phil, no great help here but it seems to be fairly normal wear and tear in TD. I had same issue last year (well numbness at least, strength was OK). The onset of numb fingers was after just 3 or 4 days racing. They never really got any worse after that. In Sept 09 I was at a race and discussed it with the TD female SS record holder. She said "don't worry it will be OK by Christmas". Funny but it was about Christmas 09 when I stopped noticing the numb fingers.

My own experience is that Ergon grips put much less pressure on the sensitive area of your hands.

John

[chrisx]

http://www.magneticbracelet.ca/
magnetic bracelets work in six weeks instead of six months
http://www.orthogate.org/patient-education/wrist/intersection-syndrome.html
If you research what is inside your wrist you might keep it straight from now on.
Spinal alignment also plays a role in numb hands. A Chinese guy with thin pointed needles may be able to explain that to you.

[phil_rad]

Fettis & chrisx,

hey thanks guys for all the helpful ideas. Right now I'm just letting my hand recover, no pressure on the wrist, which means no biking

I think my problem was that the ergons were to low, weird that I didn't have problems while training for the TDR, but I didn't ride 10 - 15 hrs a day for six days either. The nerve doc said it will just take time for it to heal.

Maybe I should have taped extra padding on the grips? Who knows?

[Jilleo]

Phil,

Big bummer. I realize there's little you can do now, but I thought I would relate my own experience with Ergon grips.

I used to use the Ergon Performance Grip (the wing-shaped one) on all of my bikes. In Fall 2007, I did a 350-mile road tour over two days and came home with severe numbness in my fingers. It didn't go away for months. I thought I had done permanent nerve damage. Shortly after that, I switched to the Ergon Enduro grip. I used those in my 24-day run down the GDMBR and had no problems at all. Seriously, nothing. Came home with normal feeling in all of my fingers. I didn't even use bar ends, and although I had aero bars, I rarely used them. I didn't even do anything special with the grips or test them in different positions so they were just right. I just slid them on and they worked for me.

Still, I think grips are a highly personal thing. I just wanted to point out that those wing-shaped grips don't work for everyone. I think they can be detrimental to some who don't even realize it.

[phil_rad]

Phil,

Big bummer. I realize there's little you can do now, but I thought I would relate my own experience with Ergon grips.

I used to use the Ergon Performance Grip (the wing-shaped one) on all of my bikes. In Fall 2007, I did a 350-mile road tour over two days and came home with severe numbness in my fingers. It didn't go away for months. I thought I had done permanent nerve damage. Shortly after that, I switched to the Ergon Enduro grip. I used those in my 24-day run down the GDMBR and had no problems at all. Seriously, nothing. Came home with normal feeling in all of my fingers. I didn't even use bar ends, and although I had aero bars, I rarely used them. I didn't even do anything special with the grips or test them in different positions so they were just right. I just slid them on and they worked for me.

Still, I think grips are a highly personal thing. I just wanted to point out that those wing-shaped grips don't work for everyone. I think they can be detrimental to some who don't even realize it.

Jill,

That's what I've been thinking, that the ergon grips aren't for me. So when I'm fully recovered I'll try different grips and a new bar, a ragley carnegie's bar. Thanks for your feedback.