Numbness or Tingling in Your Arms or Hands After a Car Accident
Since the crash, your fingers tingle, as if your hand were asleep. Sometimes there is a burning pain that runs from your neck down your arm, and when you turn your head it gets worse. You may even drop things more than usual.
These symptoms deserve attention. In most cases they come from a nerve that is irritated or compressed somewhere between the neck and the hand, and many improve with time and treatment. But some combinations of symptoms are an emergency, so it is worth knowing the difference.
Call 911 right away if you have:
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side · a drooping face, trouble speaking or understanding · sudden loss of vision, severe dizziness or the worst headache of your life · numbness or weakness in both arms or both legs · loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness in the groin · weakness that is getting worse quickly.
After a neck injury, these signs can point to a stroke, an injured artery or spinal cord damage. Do not wait to see if they go away.
Where the tingling comes from
The nerves that control your arm and hand leave the spine in the neck and travel through the shoulder, the elbow and the wrist. A crash can irritate them at several points:
| Where | What happens | Typical signs |
|---|---|---|
| Neck (cervical radiculopathy) | A herniated disc or inflammation presses on a nerve root as it leaves the spine | Burning or sharp pain from the neck down the arm, worse when turning or tilting the head; tingling and weakness |
| Shoulder and armpit | Nerves stretched by the movement of the crash or pressure from the seatbelt | Tingling or weakness in the whole arm, often along with shoulder pain |
| Elbow (ulnar nerve) | A blow to the elbow or leaning on it for a long time | Tingling in the ring and little fingers |
| Wrist (carpal tunnel) | Swelling after gripping the wheel hard or a blow from the airbag | Tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers, worse at night |
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the pain of a pinched nerve in the neck usually follows the path of that nerve down the arm and can come with “pins and needles,” numbness and weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand. In younger people, the usual cause is a herniated disc after a sudden injury.
The neck is often involved after whiplash, and symptoms can appear days later. Read more about delayed symptoms after a car accident.
How it is evaluated
The provider tests the strength of your arms and hands, the sensation in each finger and your reflexes, and checks which neck movements trigger the symptoms. With that, they can usually tell which nerve is involved and at what level.
If the symptoms are significant, there is weakness or they do not improve, they may order an MRI to look at the discs and nerves of the neck. In some cases, a nerve study (electromyography) is also used. See X-ray, MRI or CT after a car accident.
Treatment
The AAOS notes that most people with a pinched nerve in the neck get better over time: some in days or weeks, others take longer. Treatment usually starts without surgery:
What usually helps
- Physical therapy with exercises for posture, mobility and strength of the neck and shoulders.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine or, for some patients, a short course of other medication, as your doctor directs.
- Avoiding positions that trigger the tingling, such as looking down at your phone for long periods.
- Adjusting your workstation, steering wheel and pillow.
- In some cases, a steroid injection.
Surgery is considered when symptoms persist after a period of nonsurgical treatment or when weakness is getting worse.
Keep a record
Write down which fingers tingle, at what time of day and what makes it better or worse. Tingling and weakness are often hard to see on a scan, so that detailed record helps your provider and documents how the injury affects your daily life. See how to document your injuries.
The short version
Tingling or numbness in the arm or hand after a crash usually comes from an irritated nerve, most often in the neck, and many cases improve with time and treatment. But sudden numbness on one side, trouble speaking, weakness in both arms or legs, or loss of bladder control are emergencies: call 911. For everything else, get evaluated and tell your provider exactly where and when you feel it.
Sources
- AAOS OrthoInfo — Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve) (symptoms, causes and treatment).
- CDC — Signs and symptoms of stroke.
This article is informational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you were in a car accident in the Salt Lake City area, Car Injury Clinic (Taylorsville, UT) offers same-day evaluation, free transportation and coordination with your attorney. Call 385-242-8571 or book an appointment.
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