Can Arthritis Cause Numbness?
Arthritis often causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, but it can also affect the nerves around those joints. Yes, arthritis can cause numbness when inflammation or joint changes put pressure on nearby nerves. This can lead to tingling, reduced sensation, or a pins-and-needles feeling in the hands, feet, or other areas.
Nerve compression, inflammation, or related conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can all play a role in causing numbness. Healthnile notes that recognizing these symptoms early can make a difference in managing both joint health and nerve function.
Definition of Symptom
A symptom is a sign or change in the body that a person can feel or notice. It is different from a medical test result because it comes from the individual’s own experience. In arthritis, symptoms often include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Some people also report numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness, which may point to nerve involvement rather than just joint problems.
- Numbness means a reduced or complete loss of feeling in a part of the body. This can make it harder for someone to sense touch, temperature, or movement.
- Tingling is often described as a “pins and needles” feeling. It can be mild and temporary or more constant, depending on the cause.
- Muscle weakness is a decrease in strength that may affect grip, balance, or daily movements. Weakness can develop when nerves or muscles do not work properly due to inflammation or pressure.
| Symptom | Description | Possible Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Numbness | Loss of sensation | Trouble sensing touch or position |
| Tingling | Pins-and-needles feeling | Discomfort, distraction, reduced focus |
| Muscle weakness | Reduced strength in muscles | Difficulty holding or lifting objects |
Possible Causes/Diseases Condition
Arthritis can sometimes lead to numbness because inflammation affects more than just the joints. When swelling or joint damage presses on nearby nerves, it can cause tingling, burning, or a “pins and needles” feeling.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that not only damages joints but also affects surrounding tissues. In some cases, RA leads to neuropathy, where nerve fibers become irritated or damaged. This can cause numbness in the hands, feet, or other areas.
A related complication is rheumatoid vasculitis, which happens when blood vessels become inflamed. Reduced blood flow from vasculitis can injure nerves, leading to numbness or weakness. Though less common, it is a serious condition that requires medical care.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, usually involves cartilage breakdown. While it mainly causes stiffness and pain, bone spurs or joint swelling can press on nerves. This pressure may result in tingling or loss of sensation, especially in the spine or neck.
Other autoimmune conditions linked with arthritis can also cause nerve-related symptoms. For example, vasculitis from chronic inflammation may damage both small and large nerves. This can create widespread numbness or tingling in different parts of the body.
| Condition | Possible Effect on Nerves | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Inflammation around nerves | Tingling, burning, numbness |
| Rheumatoid vasculitis | Reduced blood flow to nerves | Weakness, numbness, pain |
| Osteoarthritis | Nerve compression from bone spurs | Localized tingling, stiffness |
| Vasculitis | Nerve damage from vessel inflammation | Numbness, loss of sensation |
Other Non-Disease Causes
Not all numbness comes from arthritis or other diseases. Everyday habits, injuries, or physical strain can also lead to tingling or loss of sensation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common example. Repeated hand or wrist movements can put pressure on the median nerve, causing numbness or tingling in the fingers. This condition often affects people who type, use tools, or perform similar tasks for long periods.
Problems in the spinal cord can also cause numbness. Poor posture, heavy lifting, or minor injuries may irritate nerves in the spine. When these nerves become compressed, people may feel tingling or weakness in the arms, legs, or back. Other non-disease factors include:
- Injury or Trauma: A fall or accident can bruise nerves and reduce sensation.
- Poor Circulation: Sitting in one position for too long may cut off blood flow, leading to temporary numbness.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: Low levels of B vitamins, especially B12, can affect nerve health.
- Pressure on Nerves: Simple actions like crossing the legs for too long may trigger tingling.
These causes are usually temporary but can become ongoing if the underlying strain or pressure continues.
How It Causes the Symptom
Arthritis can lead to numbness when joint inflammation affects nearby nerves. Swelling around the joints may place pressure on sensitive nerve pathways, disrupting normal sensation.
In conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system drives ongoing inflammation. This not only damages joint tissue but can also irritate or compress nerves in the area.
One common example is the median nerve in the wrist. When joint swelling or tissue thickening presses on this nerve, it can cause tingling, burning, or numbness in the fingers and hand. Key ways arthritis may trigger numbness:
- Joint swelling increases pressure on nerves.
- Inflammation spreads from joints to surrounding tissues.
- Nerve compression reduces normal signal flow.
| Cause | Effect on Nerves | Possible Sensation |
|---|---|---|
| Joint inflammation | Irritates nearby nerves | Tingling or pins-and-needles |
| Swelling in small joints | Compresses nerve pathways | Numbness in fingers or toes |
| Median nerve pressure | Restricts hand function | Weakness and reduced grip |
Some people may also notice numbness in the feet or legs if arthritis in the spine or hips leads to nerve compression. This can interfere with balance and movement. When numbness appears along with arthritis pain, it often signals that nerves are being affected by inflammation or compression rather than joint damage alone.
Possible Complications
Arthritis can sometimes lead to nerve-related issues. Swelling, inflammation, or bone changes may press on nearby nerves, which can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
In rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation may spread to surrounding tissues. This can result in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, where nerve compression in the wrist leads to ongoing numbness or loss of grip strength. Osteoarthritis may also create bone spurs in the spine or other joints. These spurs can press on nerves, producing pain, numbness, or a pins-and-needles feeling in the limbs.
Certain treatments for arthritis can bring their own complications. NSAIDs may irritate the stomach or affect kidney function. DMARDs and other RA medications can sometimes cause side effects that impact the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tingling or burning sensations.
| Factor | Possible Effect | Example Symptom |
|---|---|---|
| Joint inflammation | Nerve compression | Tingling in hands |
| Bone changes | Pinched nerves | Numbness in legs |
| Medications (NSAIDs, DMARDs, RA drugs) | Side effects | Burning or weakness |
If numbness or tingling develops, it may limit mobility, reduce coordination, or affect daily activities. In some cases, untreated nerve pressure can lead to lasting nerve damage.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Numbness linked to arthritis is not always serious, but certain signs mean it should not be ignored. If numbness is frequent, spreads, or worsens over time, contact a doctor. Seek medical attention right away if numbness is paired with:
- Sudden weakness in the arms or legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe or sharp pain that does not ease
- Fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath
In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation can press on nearby nerves. This may lead to tingling, burning, or loss of sensation. If these symptoms interfere with daily activities, seek medical care.
Doctors check joint movement, perform nerve tests, or order scans to find out whether arthritis, nerve pressure, or another problem is causing the numbness. If numbness occurs only once in a while and is mild, it may not require urgent care. Still, mention the symptom at the next routine visit to help track changes over time.
