Hand going numb whil mowing

[Quail Creek LC]

Am I the only one who's hands go numb while operating walkbehinds. Some days seem worse than others. Is this a sign of carpal tunel or is by back out of wack or whats going on. I've been having this problem for the last 4 years. Just curious if anyone else has this problem.

[KirbysLawn]

What kind of mower?

I used Bob Cat's with the pistol grips, after waking every morn with numbs hands I got the Great Dane Scamper and have not had a problem since. If you are using pistol grips look at the Hustler, Toro, Exmark, or Great Danes with non grip systems.

[yardman1]

I have the same problem, it is a sign of carpal tunel,. i have two fingers that have been asleep for about 6 months. I need to go to the doctor, but really don't want to. It was real bad when all that i used was a walk-behind but it is alot better now that i use a rider, but yes i feel your pain :cry:

[Quail Creek LC]

I have Scags. I do have to stop on occasion and wave my arms around to get blood flowing again and That will give me about 10 minutes. Im sure people are wondering what the heck is that guy doing.

[yardman1]

I have Scag also and to i do the same thing, i look like I am trying to fly off.:D

[Mykster]

You will have to be checked to be sure if it's Carpal tunel. But those are symptoms. While mowing you could wear wrist splints to relieve some of the pressure in your wrist. You could also buy a full hand and wrist splint (similiar to a bowling glove) and wear at night while your sleeping. Or just go have the surgery done but, the sugery results vary for each person.

I remember waking up during the night in extreme pain because my wrists hurt so bad. It does come and go but, never goes away. Try taking Advil before you start you day. Does take the edge off.

[Quail Creek LC]

I have been contemplating getting a exmark rider just to help my hands out, but I really like how I can get in tight places with my walkbehinds. I'm just more effecient with a walkbehind.

[Quail Creek LC]

Lately just resting my arms on my computer desk has been giving me trouble.

[KirbysLawn]

Get rid of the pistol grips! You can still have a walk behind and your hands, check out the others listed above. Was the best decission I made.

[David Haggerty]

I took the "deadman" levers off of my walk behind. Now I don't have to grip the handles all the time. It's helped because I can move my hands more.

Dave

[MOW ED]

Ray is correct. There are also some gloves you can get that help dampen vibration but I personally have not tried them. I have a Toro with the T-bar and it is very easy to operate. Good Luck.

[yardmonkey]

Please check out my website for lots of info and ideas on hands problems:
http://www.ionet.net/~tslade/hands.htm

I use anti-vibration gloves when mowing or using a weedeater.
Stretching and strengthening exercises should be helpful.
Please do not even consider surgery and be careful with doctors.
The best book to get right away is Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries by Sharon Butler.
Most likely this has to do with a whole-body pattern of tension. It may be helpful to see a bodyworker such as a Rolfer or Hellerworker or some kind of massage therapist.
I find it useful to workout with light-weight dumbbells.
I have no experience with larger mowers, but changing mowers or making modifications as suggested above may be helpful.
Lots more ideas on my website.

Good luck with it..........

[bharrison]

I don't notice this problem while on the ZTR, but It gets real bad when on a motorcycle. It's only my right (throttle) hand, and get's bad enough that I have to move (flail) my arm to get feeling back to it. I know it sounds dangerous, but I really hate to give up riding.
I'm going to check out some of tha above links. Thanks for the info.

[parkwest]

I agree with Yardmonkey. Surgery is only a last resort. With surgery there is no guarantee the procedure will work but what they do is permanent.

If your two little fingers go numb that is caused by a pinched nerve in the C7 area. I know I had that problem. Caused by motorcycle accident.

Go to a good chiropractor who uses Applied Kinesiology technique to isolate the cause.

[Doc Pete]

Please guy's, I have nothing to do with the Hustler company, but the Hustler WB's, are build like tanks, cut great, are very heavy in the frontend so they don't bounce when using a velky, have full floating decks, are not expensive.................. AND have the best bar none, easiest, most accurate, simplest drive system, that will not induce carpal tunnel, plus have "no" deadman's switch to hold on to.
Personally I have nothing to gain by helping you guy's, but I hate to see "friend's" suffer for no other reason than lack of information.....
If you need any addition info or have more quesitons, please feel free to email me at my address....... Last week I did 18 lawns in one day (13 hours), and came home without any hand/arm problems whatsoever.
Pete

[Doc Pete]

The reason the Hustler is without question the best WB, even when compared to a "wright WB" is the Hustler's controls automatically center. This means the machine always goes straight (using just only hand) and does not require adjusting levers to make it go straight. This also, lets the Hustler automatically zero turn because, besides stopping at zero speed (spring detent), pulling on the handle automatically makes one wheel go forward, and the other wheel go back the at the same speed, regardless how fast that is. Finally, while going forward, the Hustler will stay at that speed and does not need pressure to keep it moving forward. Plain and simple you can mow front or back and zero turn easily with "only one hand". Hey, your health is important, try a Hustler......

Pete

[scottb]

I use a glove made by RD Millennium lookat this web site.
www.bodytrends.com/glove/harcos.htm

[karl klein]

i would bet you are getting carpel tunnel one of my family members had it and got sergury it is a very in and out process

[little green guy]

i've been noticing lateyl that when i'm on my exmark rider for long amounts of time that my hand start getting numb when i'm done, i'm fine on any other equipment though.

[CHAN]

Parkwest hit it on the head. It is more than likely somewhere between c-4 and c-6 though. I have learned that most dr.s will tell you it is CP and it not fix the problem. Know from experence. The diferent mowers usually have different positions from sitting on a z and standing behind a WB. The arms are useally in different locations and muscles in the neck are in different stress.
Go to somewhere like Hougston Clinic and they can tell you what it really is. I know a lot of people who had even loss the use of there arms like in a stroke but after spinal surgery they all said it was like nothing ever was wrong. In one day out the next.
Later

[richlawns]

I

[lawnmowerman29]

DO NOT GET SURGERY. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and i wish i never did. The pain of you hands falling asleep is nothing compared to the pain from surgery. The doc told me to not use them for 8 weeks. I had it done in August of 1999 and they are not healed yet! Some days i want to cut them off and have hooks the pain is that bad. Plus i have no strength in my hands anymore, cant hardly run a trimmer for more than 30 min. cant even open a pickle jar. It is not worth it to fix your hands.

[Doc Pete]

Just remember all of the carpal tunnel/ tendonitius stuff is different for different people. Those of us "light skin/fair hair/blue eyed guy's" are prone to get these problems. Those that are dark skin/dark hair/dark eyes are much less prone and may never run into these problems no matter how hard they push. It is genetic.........
Pete

[Turf Technologies]

I have this same problem.We use Lesco WBs with the pistol grips without the safties.The grips are thick and my hands are small so its hard to get a good hold, but when i cut them off im fine. Its funny this came up because even thicker grips where put back on it this weekend that i had to cut off because it was hurting my hands.

[brucec32]

Numb hands are one thing. Really get worried when you start growing hair on the palms.

[Acute Cut]

I have the same problem with my exmark walkbehind. I use a jungle jim and only notice it on the lawns that require the use of the JJ. I thought it was just me, but a friend came out and complained about it on the first day. I had not mentioned it to him either. Wierd. I was thinking of putting some shock absorbers between where the handles meed the mower frame. Maybe it would dampen the vibration. You know, like they do for engines in cars. just a thought though. Imput anyone?

[2 Black Thumbs]

Iv'e been a mechanic for the last 20 years in various jobs and have always had bouts with numbness in my wrists(on repentitive jobs, wrenching and such and in MHO surgery is the very last option. I don't like the feeling, but I live with it and try to change what I can to make it more tolorable. changing angles that you hold equipment at(modify your equipment) will hopefully help you out. You can always pad and duct-tape (my fav) handles to try to reduce the wear and tear on your arms and wrists and make up new stuff to make you more comfortable on the job. Hope this helps:)

[Tony Harrell]

My dad used to call them "Quack-practors". I did too until I had a serious neck/arm/hand problem. I stretched my arms over my head too far while changing a light bulb and later developed sporadic numbness running down my arm and into my hand. My neck developed a "catch" and it got to the point where I couldn't move my neck at all. After about 4 days of not sleeping at all, I was at the end of my rope. I'd been to a doctor at the hospital I was working at and he prescribed muscle relaxers (don't work). I then went to a chiropractor and after a consultation, he "told me" where the problem was. He backed it up with x-rays later. Seems I had a whiplash years earlier from racing moto-cross (I remember casing out over a double jump, but the pain went away). When I stretched my arms over my head, I pinched a nerve in my neck between the 3-4 vertebre. This guy saved my life because I was in such pain that my thoughts were very cloudy. I now realize how muscles support the bones. He fixed my neck with his fingers and showed me some neck exercizes to prevent future problems. That was 12 years ago and I have not had any problems since.