Video Description
Numbness limited to the little finger and ring finger — often in one hand — is a specific pattern with a specific set of causes. It frequently feels worse when the elbow is bent, and may come with a pins-and-needles sensation or an ache on the inner side of the elbow.
Some people notice it at night when sleeping with the elbow bent, and it eases when the arm is relaxed and straightened.
This page covers what causes numbness in these two fingers and how a physiotherapy assessment identifies the source.
What causes it
- Nerve compression at the elbow, where the nerve supplying these fingers passes on the inner side
- Pressure on a nerve in the neck — for example from cervical spondylosis — which can refer symptoms down the arm
- Vitamin B-complex deficiency, which can produce similar numbness
When to see a clinician
If the numbness is frequent or persistent, it is worth having it assessed rather than waiting. Special physical tests can help work out whether the source is the neck, the elbow, or a deficiency.
Where a neck or elbow cause is suspected, an MRI of the neck, or a nerve conduction study / EMG, can show which structures are involved and whether a disc problem in the neck is pressing on the nerve.
How physiotherapy helps
Treatment depends on the source. If the cause is in the neck, treatment is directed there; if it is at the elbow, treatment focuses on the elbow. To reduce recurrence, a programme usually includes strengthening and nerve-mobilising exercises (sometimes called nerve flossing), customised to your age and strength.
Done consistently, these exercises often reduce the numbness gradually over time.
Booking an assessment
If numbness in your fingers keeps returning, an assessment can identify where it is coming from. Learn more about cervical spondylosis physiotherapy or call to book.
Chennai Physio Care® — Anna Nagar West, Chennai
📞 73052 74514
🕐 Monday – Saturday, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Home visits are available across Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Mogappair, Arumbakkam, Koyambedu, and Korattur. Call us to discuss whether a home visit is appropriate for your situation.
Last reviewed by Dr. N Vanathy, PT — July 2026 Chennai Physio Care®, Anna Nagar West, Chennai