Left arm going numb

Poltax

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
127
Location
UT
I have a MR Metcalf, that is brand new. I have it loaded with 30 pounds of sand. Been walking my neighborhood about 2.5 miles. Terrain is up and down. About half way thru the walk, my left hand fingers start to tingle and then go a bit numb. The feeling also will go up to my forearm. This does not happen all the time. Wearing the same type of clothing each time

I have adjusted the straps, but it does not seem to make a difference. Any ideas on what to try for adjustments?
 
Poltax,
It sounds like the transition of the shoulder strap under your arm may be too tight restricting blood flow. I would suggest double checking the shoulder suspension length for your torso length, if it is too short the shoulder straps will curve under the arms too quickly. The second thing you could try is to move the chest strap down the shoulder straps, mid chest level or lower. The chest strap can be used to maintain the shape and curve of the shoulder strap under the arm so this transition does not pinch into the corner of the arm pit restricting blood flow.
Hope this helps,
Kurt
 
Pressure on the front shoulder squashes blood vessels and nerves. I suspect you are right handed and that hand moves more which relieves pressure. Move your arms more. Shoulder straps may be a bit low on the frame. Tighten the hip belt too.
 
Thanks for all the comments. I will try out all the ideas tomorrow. If anyone else has thoughts I would appreciate it.
 
Poltax -

I don't have many posts but have been following on Rockslide for quite some time now. I am an Orthopedic surgery resident and your post peaked my interest for a clinical standpoint (sorry to be a geek on here, I mostly enjoy reading all the good info on hunting/backpacking that others provide but I may actually add something unique to this forum). I think I can answer you dilemma if you can answer a few easy questions: Do all your fingers go numb or just specific fingers? Is it one side of your forearm or the entire forearm? Does the hand/forearm also get cold? Do you ever have symptoms while not wearing the pack (i.e. driving a truck or at night when sleeping?)

What your describing could be a result of: 1. a pinched nerve in your neck (cervical spine), 2. pinched nerve in your arm (cubital tunnel, carpal tunnel, or a mix), or 3. potentially a blood flow issue as mentioned above. If only certain fingers/one side of you forearm go numb I would favor a diagnosis of either 1 or 2 (honestly this is wear an exam would help delicate between the two). However, if you entire hand/forearm go numb I would think this is likely a blood flow issue from the shoulder straps on your pack compressing an artery traveling to your arm (brachial artery likely). It is certainly worth adjusting the pack to see if it helps before pursuing a different diagnosis at this point, but keep in mind this could one of the other diagnoses as listed above (especially if this becomes a persistent problem).

This may be of some help. Good luck with everything. Happy to answer further/future questions.
 
Just got back from another ruck threw the neighborhood. I have adjusted the suspension and lengthend it out about 1/2 inch. Moved the chest strap all the way down to almost mid chest. Ran the hip belt tighter and shoulder straps a bit looser. Still having the same problem. Left thumb starts to go numb then rest of fingers start to tingle. Forearm feels like it is tingling but not burning. Also let arms swing more.

Going to go to Chiro this week to get adjusted

Bckcntry.....outside of forearm is what goes numb. Thumb then rest of fingers tingle. Once in awhile when just walking my left arm will kind of tingle. Not very often. No numbness while sleeping
 
Side and front pictures may help us help you. It could be that you simply have the wrong size harness. I had the Kuiu Icon Pro and had similar issues when using trekking poles as the fit caused my shoulders to be splayed out and pulled backwards. One major reason for this was that the connection point for the load lifter couldn't be moved forward enough because I was too tall. Try adjusting the 3-bar slider for the load lifter a little further forward. Make sure that it is lined up with your collar bone and is at around a 45 degree angle.
 
I'd say strap too. I've had that numbness show up when I'm carrying a heavy load (more than 50lbs). It's not all the time, but when it happens it's because I've fiddled with my straps and didn't reset them correctly, and like Kurt says, usually it's the one that runs under my arm.

I have/had numbness as a result of a cervical disc (have a plate and eight titanium screws in my neck to prove it), and unless you have any other reason to suspect a disc, I'd put money on the strap pinching off bloodflow.
 
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