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90%

Nerve problems as cause of numbness

50%

Peripheral neuropathy rate in diabetic patients

NCS

Same-day NCS diagnosis available

Q

"My hands and feet are numb and cold —
is it really just
a circulation problem?"

ANSWER

"Over 90% of numbness and tingling
is a nerve problem, not circulation."

OSANG does not dismiss it as poor circulation —
we find the hidden nerve signals behind the numbness.

Precisely tracing where and which nerve is compressed or damaged
Customized treatment design that varies completely based on the cause
Even the same numbness requires different treatment
when the cause differs.
We design a personalized 'nerve recovery pathway' for each patient.

Numbness & Tingling Clinic - NCS, Peripheral Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel Treatment | OSANG Neurosurgery

!

Have you been ignoring these symptoms?

Every morning my hands are so numb I have to clench and unclench my fists.
My toes feel cold and the sensation is gradually becoming duller.
I keep dropping things — it feels like I'm losing strength.
When I turn my neck, my entire arm tingles.
Find Your Cause

Numbness has more than one cause

01

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve passing through the wrist is compressed, causing numbness in the thumb through middle finger. Symptoms worsen at night, and in severe cases, thumb muscle atrophy leads to frequently dropping objects.

NCS+EMG Ultrasound Nerve Block Carpal Tunnel Release
02

Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical disc herniation or stenosis compresses nerve roots, causing numbness in specific arm/hand areas with neck movement. Symptoms worsen when tilting the head back or turning.

Cervical MRI NCS Epidural Block Interventional Procedure
03

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

High blood sugar damages microvessels and nerves, characteristically causing symmetrical numbness starting from both feet and gradually ascending. Occurs in 30-50% of diabetic patients.

NCS+EMG HbA1c Blood Sugar Control Nerve Regeneration Therapy
04

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Lumbar disc herniation or stenosis compresses lower limb nerves, causing radiating pain and numbness from the buttocks to the toes.

Lumbar MRI NCS+EMG Epidural Block Neuroplasty
05

Other Peripheral Neuropathies

Nerve damage from various internal medicine causes including thyroid dysfunction, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol, and medication side effects.

Blood Test NCS+EMG Cause Correction Nerve Regeneration Therapy
Key Examination

Key Diagnostic Tests for Numbness

Nerve Conduction Study

NCS (Nerve Conduction Study)

Electrodes are placed on the skin and mild electrical stimulation is applied to measure nerve conduction speed and response magnitude. Objectively identifies where nerves are compressed or damaged.

Duration: Approx. 20-30 minutes
Pain: Slight tingling sensation, well-tolerated by most
Detectable: Damage location, conduction velocity, demyelination vs axonal damage

Electromyography

EMG (Electromyography)

A thin needle electrode is inserted into the muscle to record electrical activity. Evaluates whether nerve damage has affected muscles, assessing the degree of damage and recovery potential.

Duration: Approx. 15-30 minutes
Pain: Mild discomfort during needle insertion
Detectable: Radiculopathy, muscle damage severity, recovery prognosis

ADDITIONAL TESTS

Cervical/Lumbar MRI Blood Test (HbA1c, Thyroid, B12) Ultrasound X-ray Autonomic Function Test
Neurosurgery × Neurology

Numbness: Why two specialists
need to work together

Numbness is not simply a circulation problem. Structural compression from cervical/lumbar discs and carpal tunnel, and functional damage from peripheral nerve injury and metabolic neuropathy are often intertwined.
At OSANG, two specialists in neurosurgery and neurology work together to simultaneously correct structure and function.

NEUROLOGY

Neurology

  • Precise NCS+EMG analysis
  • Peripheral neuropathy cause differentiation
  • Neuropathic pain medication design
  • Metabolic/autoimmune cause tracking
→

COLLABORATION

Collaboration Results

  • Precise damage location identification
  • Simultaneous structure + function correction
  • Nerve regeneration environment creation
  • Personalized recovery roadmap
→

NEUROSURGERY

Neurosurgery

  • Cervical/lumbar disc compression relief
  • Carpal/tarsal tunnel decompression
  • C-arm guided precision nerve block
  • Epidural interventional procedures

Looking at only one side means missing the cause.
Both structural compression and functional damage must be assessed simultaneously for accurate treatment.

View Medical Team
Self Check

Self-Check: Numbness Checklist

If 3 or more apply, get a professional consultation
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is my numbness a circulation problem or a nerve problem?
Over 90% of numbness is a nerve problem, not a vascular one. Major causes include peripheral nerve damage, nerve compression, and cervical/lumbar radiculopathy. A nerve conduction study is needed for accurate differentiation.
Q. What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
The median nerve passing through the wrist is compressed, causing numbness in the thumb, index, middle fingers and palm. Symptoms worsen at night, and in severe cases, thumb muscle atrophy causes frequent dropping of objects.
Q. Does diabetes increase the risk of numbness?
Yes, diabetic peripheral neuropathy occurs in 30-50% of diabetic patients. High blood sugar damages microvessels and nerves, characteristically causing symmetrical numbness starting from both feet and gradually ascending.
Q. Can a herniated cervical disc cause hand numbness?
When nerve roots are compressed by cervical disc herniation or stenosis, numbness and pain occur in specific arm/hand areas. Symptoms characteristically worsen when tilting the head back or turning.
Q. How is a nerve conduction study performed? Is it painful?
Electrodes are placed on the skin and mild electrical stimulation measures nerve conduction speed and response. There is a slight tingling sensation, but most people tolerate it well, and it takes about 30 minutes.
Q. What tests should I get for numbness?
NCS and EMG confirm the location and extent of nerve damage. Cervical/lumbar MRI may be used to check for discs or stenosis. Blood tests also differentiate internal medicine causes such as diabetes, thyroid, and vitamin deficiencies.
Q. What happens if numbness is left untreated?
Depending on the cause, progressive peripheral nerve damage can lead to sensory loss, muscle weakness, and gait disturbance. Early treatment is especially important for diabetic neuropathy due to increased risk of foot ulcers and infection.
Q. Why does a neurosurgery clinic treat numbness?
When numbness is caused by structural nerve compression such as cervical/lumbar disc, spinal stenosis, or carpal tunnel syndrome, neurosurgical diagnosis and interventional procedures are needed. Functional nerve abnormalities are treated through collaborative neurology care.
Q. Can numbness be cured with medication alone?
If the cause is mild vitamin deficiency or early neuropathy, medication and lifestyle changes may help. However, structural compression or moderate-to-severe nerve damage requires active treatment such as nerve blocks and interventional procedures.
Q. Is sudden numbness in one hand/foot dangerous?
Sudden numbness in one hand/foot accompanied by paralysis, speech difficulty, or facial asymmetry may be an early sign of stroke and requires immediate emergency care. However, unilateral numbness can also be caused by cervical nerve root compression, so accurate differentiation is needed.
Q. How long does treatment usually take?
It depends on the cause and degree of nerve damage. Mild compressive neuropathy may improve within 2-4 weeks, while chronic nerve damage requires 3-6 months or more of systematic treatment and follow-up.
Q. Is there anything to prepare before the first visit?
It helps to note the onset date, affected areas, and aggravating/relieving factors. Bringing previous test results (MRI, blood tests, etc.) and a current medication list enables more accurate diagnosis.

Consultation

Consultation Request

Please briefly describe your symptoms and we will contact you promptly.

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