Numbness in pinky & ring finger - doc recommendation please

[Muttley]

Hi guys,

 

Since getting a road bike for my IDT and going for a proper fitting, I've noticed that I've got almost a constant numbness in my pinky and ring finger. This was never the case when my MTB was on the trainer. 

 

I've done some online research and it seems that I've developed something called Guyon canal/handlebar palsy.

 

Do you guys have any recommendations for doctors in Johannesburg/Sandton Area who specialise in such a thing?

 

Any tips would also be appreciated (perhaps the fitting needs to be re-looked at) 

Edited November 5, 2020 by Muttley

[eddy]

 

 

 (perhaps the fitting needs to be re-looked at) 

 

Who did the fitting ?

[Muttley]

Who did the fitting ?

Richard Baxter at Dunkeld Cycles

[eddy]

Richard Baxter at Dunkeld Cycles

 

Then you got it done by an expert.

 

Talk to him again and explain your symptoms. If anyone can move you around to mitigate the issue it is him. 

 

Compared to an MTB, there is more weight on your hands on a road bike, he may be able to move it closer or higher or less radical, or something...

 

apologies, can't recommend a doctor.

 

 

Ps, how strong is your core ?

Edited November 5, 2020 by eddy

[lechatnoir]

if it's indoors only, don't worry about an aero position, so see if a more 'sit up and beg' position helps.

 

a road bike will invariably leave you with more weight on your hands.

[Muttley]

Then you got it done by an expert.

 

Talk to him again and explain your symptoms. If anyone can move you around to mitigate the issue it is him. 

 

Compared to an MTB, there is more weight on your hands on a road bike, he may be able to move it closer or higher or less radical, or something...

 

apologies, can't recommend a doctor.

 

 

Ps, how strong is your core ?

Thanks, will give him a shout.

 

Core is weak!

 

if it's indoors only, don't worry about an aero position, so see if a more 'sit up and beg' position helps.

 

a road bike will invariably leave you with more weight on your hands.

I actually got wrist pain last night on an hour 45 ride and riding on the hoods is awful so something must be wrong. I can't imagine why anyone would put up with such an uncomfortable position yet I keep telling myself that I may need more time in the saddle. Is 1300km still too low of a mileage to get used to a road bike vs MTB?

[Frosty]

Hi guys,

 

Since getting a road bike for my IDT and going for a proper fitting, I've noticed that I've got almost a constant numbness in my pinky and ring finger. This was never the case when my MTB was on the trainer.

 

I've done some online research and it seems that I've developed something called Guyon canal/handlebar palsy.

 

Do you guys have any recommendations for doctors in Johannesburg/Sandton Area who specialise in such a thing?

 

Any tips would also be appreciated (perhaps the fitting needs to be re-looked at)

The position on you bike shouldn’t change whether you are indoors or outside - you are in the same position on the bike. If you only get a numbing sensation on the IDT, then raise your front wheel higher off the ground so it feels like you are climbing a hill. If your front wheel is lower than your rear on the trainer, you could be “falling forward”.

 

As Eddy says, go back to Richard and ask him to check again.

 

Sounds like you are perhaps tipping forward in your setup (handlebars to low relative to you saddle height, or too far forward) resulting in the extra pressure on the padding on the inside of your palms when resting on the bars.

Edit: Outside —> [emoji1671] <— inside —>[emoji1588] <—outside. When you are looking at your hands, thumbs are outside, so the inside of your palms are the pinky side.

 

If your stem has a spacer between the stem and stem cap, it might help to swap so that your bars are slightly higher. If not, you might need a stem with a steeper rise. But Richard will be able to help solve this.

Edited November 5, 2020 by Frosty

[Furbz]

Andrew Barrow is a good hand surgeon if it gets to that point.

he did my wrist

[stefmeister]

Hi guys,

 

Since getting a road bike for my IDT and going for a proper fitting, I've noticed that I've got almost a constant numbness in my pinky and ring finger. This was never the case when my MTB was on the trainer. 

 

I've done some online research and it seems that I've developed something called Guyon canal/handlebar palsy.

 

Do you guys have any recommendations for doctors in Johannesburg/Sandton Area who specialise in such a thing?

 

Any tips would also be appreciated (perhaps the fitting needs to be re-looked at) 

 

Got the same issue, although I suspect it's due to a crash busting up my elbow - Ulnar nerve runs along the outside of arm. It has reduced my riding over the last 2+ years significantly. Tried everything, different grips, gloves, bar/stem setup, rest - not even weeks of rest during lockdown 5 helped.

[ChrisF]

Going from MTB to road position Also road bike for the IDT only..... I needed some time to get used to this. Despite a proper bike fit.

 

I spoke to my fitter, then got an adjustable stem, and raised the bars .... somewhere between MTB and road setting. Got used to it, and slightly lowered the setting.

 

 

Worth noting this had really helped my position and strength on the MTB.

[Muttley]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[Docnic]

Definitley irritation of the ulnar nerve.(ulnar nerve supllies the ring finger and pinky. The two most common places of ulnar irritation is the elbow and/or over the cushion part of the handpalm on the pinky side(the most common position for the hand to rest while cycling). Seeing its from the cycling, its likely the position of your hand on your handlebar. Since you're on IDT, one does not change position regularly so the pressure is on the nerve in the same position over long periods of time. Try change position of your hands on the handlbebar regularly. Likely that will help.

Good luck