What is the cause of prolonged numbness in the fingers after injecting local anesthetic?

Ask
Hello doctor. I was cut on the index finger of my right hand. Then I went to the hospital to inject anesthetic to stitch it up. Up to now, 20 days after injecting local anesthetic, my fingertips still have an unusual numbing sensation. The doctor asked me, how long does it take to inject the anesthetic? Hope the doctor can help me, thank you.
Ho Minh Tri (1993)
Reply
Hello! You don't need to worry too much about the phenomenon of finger numbness like that! Because around the fingers, there are many sensory nerve endings (which are very small nerves that help us feel pain, heat, cold, touch). When he had his finger cut off, these small nerves were also damaged, causing a slight numbness. Sensory recovery takes time, sometimes 2-3 months. Please be patient!
Thank you for your question to Vinmec Health System. Best regards!
BSCK I Nguyen Duc Thong - Anesthesiologist - General Surgery Department - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.