Numbness, pins and needles — which specialty
Crawling sensations, loss of feeling, or pins and needles in the hands or feet.
Usually seen by
Neurology
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- Rheumatology — if the numbness follows a clear area and relates to neck or back position
- Endocrinology — if you are being followed for blood sugar
- Neurosurgery — if compression has been diagnosed and options are being discussed
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- Sudden numbness down one side of the body
- Numbness with weakness worsening over hours to days
- Numbness around the groin and back passage with difficulty passing urine or loss of control
- Numbness after a spinal injury
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- Exactly where — drawing it on an outline of the body beats describing it
- Whether it is constant or intermittent, worse at night or during particular tasks
- Whether there is weakness, or you drop things
- Whether pain radiates from the neck or lower back
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- A drawing of the affected area — a sketch on paper is enough
- Your most recent blood glucose result if you have one
- Details of your job and the positions you hold all day
What a first visit usually involves
- Examination of sensation, power and reflexes by area
- Nerve compression tests at the wrist and elbow
- Nerve conduction studies if the level of the problem needs pinpointing