Dawson fingers are a radiographic feature of demyelination characterized by periventricular demyelinating plaques distributed along the axis of medullary veins, perpendicular to the body of the lateral ventricles and/or callosal junction. This is thought to reflect perivenular inflammation.
When lesions form along these ventricles, they create finger-like shapes that can be seen on an MRI. These shapes are called Dawson's fingers. The condition was named after Dr. James Dawson, a Scottish pathologist who first identified these elongated lesions in the early part of the 20th century.
One major symptom of MS in the hands is a loss of dexterity. Fine-motor skills may regress or disappear. You might have difficulty with activities such picking things up, maintaining a hold on items, have difficulty writing or buttoning clothing, or have trouble controlling eating utensils.
Increased tone (resistance in the muscle) can mean muscles are slow to relax, and this can cause stiffness. Depending on the muscles affected, this stiffness can make it difficult to perform delicate movements with the hands and fingers, or make larger movements difficult, which can affect walking, for example.
People should consider the diagnosis of MS if they have one or more of these symptoms: vision loss in one or both eyes. acute paralysis in the legs or along one side of the body. acute numbness and tingling in a limb.
Those symptoms include loss of vision in an eye, loss of power in an arm or leg or a rising sense of numbness in the legs. Other common symptoms associated with MS include spasms, fatigue, depression, incontinence issues, sexual dysfunction, and walking difficulties.
Numbness or Tingling
Numbness of the face, body, or extremities (arms and legs) is often the first symptom experienced by those eventually diagnosed as having MS.
A common complaint from patients in the hand therapy clinic is that their fingers are “locking.” Locking in the fingers is most commonly associated with a condition called trigger finger, which occurs when there is inflammation around the tendons that bend the fingers.
The thumb represents the brain, the index finger represents the liver/gall bladder. The middle finger represents heart, the ring finger represents hormones and the little finger or pinky represents digestion.
“MS may lead to a loss of sensation in whatever area of the body corresponds with the damaged area of the brain or spinal cord,” Dr. Scherz says. This can cause numbness or a tingling sensation—for instance, in the fingers or toes. The feeling usually comes and goes, and can be mild or severe.
Other more advanced symptoms include hand weakness, wrist drop (difficulty raising hand), curling fingers, poor sensation. You may notice that you drop items or have difficulty gauging how to pick up an item.
These are painful sensations that can affect the legs, feet, arms and hands and feel like burning, prickling, stabbing, ice cold or electrical sensations. They can interfere with daily activities, sleep and overall quality of life. Pruritis (itching) is a form of dysesthesias and may occur as a symptom of MS.
Causes of multiple sclerosis
your genes – MS isn't directly inherited, but people who are related to someone with the condition are more likely to develop it; the chance of a sibling or child of someone with MS also developing it is estimated to be around 2 to 3 in 100.
Flexor spasms.
Intense spells of involuntary arm and leg muscle tightening. The arms tend to curl up with the elbow bent and the hands clenched.
Carpal tunnel syndrome should only cause numbness or tingling in the first three or four fingers. If your pinky is also numb, it's less likely that you have carpal tunnel syndrome. It's rare, but multiple sclerosis (MS) could lead to unexplained muscle weakness. Check with your doctor if you're having these symptoms.
Although this can be considered a question of opinion, the thumb is the most important finger for gripping. If you do not count the thumb as a finger, your index and middle finger are equally important for the overall function of your hand.
The 'ring finger' got its name from the ancient belief that a vein directly connected it to the human heart, and that wearing a ring on that finger might alleviate ailments.
The fourth finger of the left hand, believed to possess a vein that runs securely to the heart, is the finger we here in the US wear our wedding rings on. The vein of love or more amorously called the Vena Amoris, is from ancient times and is thought to originate with Eqypt.
In severe cases, your finger may become locked in a bent position. Rheumatoid arthritis is a risk factor for trigger finger.
If your thumb or finger gets stuck in a bent position, you probably have a condition called trigger finger. While it can be preceded by a hand injury or strain, trigger finger is most commonly associated with arthritis.
In cases of trigger finger, liquid corticosteroids are injected into the base of the affected finger or thumb. Corticosteroids are thought to work by reducing swelling, allowing the tendon to move freely again. This can sometimes happen within a few days of having the injection, but it usually takes a few weeks.