Weakness in the hands after a workout can be normal, but it might also be a sign of something more serious. You may need to make a minor adjustment in your sport, or you could be experiencing something more serious, such as an injury, edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, or peripheral neuropathy.
Sport-Related Hand Weakness
Determining if the hand weakness you experience after a workout is normal can depend on what type of exercise you've been doing. After a long ride, cyclists regularly complain that their wrists and hands are weak and clumsy, with cramping or a feeling of pins and needles. This is known as cyclist's or handlebar palsy, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
Usually, making seat height adjustments to the bike helps relieve some of the symptoms and prevents similar pain on future rides. Other changes that can ease the pressure on your hands include making sure that the handlebar tape or grips have adequate cushioning, using gloves with adequate cushioning, and regularly changing hand positions on the handlebars.
Hand weakness is also a common problem among athletes such as golfers, weight lifters, and tennis players. Between 25 and 50 percent of sports-related hand and wrist injuries are due to overuse, according to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. If you are experiencing weakness in your hands, make an appointment with a sports medicine specialist.
Edema and Hand Weakness
Weakness in the hands after a workout could be a symptom of edema. Exercise increases blood flow to your heart and lungs and to the muscles you're working. This can reduce blood flow, making your hands cooler.
In turn, the blood vessels in your hands may overreact by opening wider, which could lead to swelling, according to Mayo Clinic. Underlying medical conditions, certain medications, and pregnancy can cause edema. You should see a doctor if you regularly experience symptoms of edema during exercise, which also include skin that looks puffy or stretched, legs that feel heavy, and abnormal swelling of the abdomen.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful, progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and wrist that radiates up the arm. Holding your hands on the exercise equipment the same way each time you exercise can lead to carpal tunnel.
Early diagnosis and treatment is important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, so see your doctor right away if you suspect that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Peripheral Neuropathy and Other Causes
In some cases, weakness in the hands may be a sign of peripheral neuropathy, which means that a nerve or group of nerves has been damaged. The most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, according to MedlinePlus. Other diseases that can cause neuropathy include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic kidney disease. Additionally, weakness in the hands may be a sign of a direct nerve injury, such as from a fall or car accident.
Treating the cause of nerve damage may improve your symptoms, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Some patients with pain will often describe numbness and tingling generally at the site of the problem, and this probably represents a general response to pain or swelling rather than a specific nerve injury. If you have injured your hand, you should see a doctor immediately; they may recommend hand-strengthening exercises or other treatment.
