Numbness in the hands, especially if waking patients up at night, is usually due to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. See that section on the Home Page.

Hand numbness in the little finger side can be from ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. Numbness in certain fingers is a clue to nerve root compression in the neck. For example, numbness in the thumb and index finger suggest a sixth cervical nerve root (C6 compression in the neck). Neurological exams for weakness, reflex changes, sensory loss, and tenderness along the ulnar or median nerves may give a fairly positive diagnosis. An electrical test called an EMG (electromyogram) can usually sort out the cause of hand numbness.