Question
my hand knuckles are swollen and hurt,mainly in both hands same knuckles..no arthritis. no fractures, no bursitis, if i spread my hands in the 'Spock' move..causes pain. My left arm is numb from a pinched nerve, and now my left side of my face is numb..is this all connected?

Answer
Dear Jim,

Sounds like you are having a pretty tough time. Sorry to hear of your pain and irritation.

First, regarding the hands. Arthritis is the most common cause of hand joint pains and swelling. There are several types of arthritis (which by definition simply means joint inflammation). The most common kind is osteoarthritis, which is simply the wearing out of the joints over time and use. All of us begin developing this type of wear and tear as early as our late teens and early twenties.  Arthritis can only be ruled in or out as a possibility through lab work and x-rays. Don't discard this as a possibility.

My primary concern regarding you, however, is this numbness on the side of your face and into the arm.

Facial numbness is something that should be checked out by a neurologist. It is possible that it is nothing too serious, but it could also be a sign of a more significant problem (cranial tumor, stroke, transient ischemic attacks, etc). Find a neurologist and have him/her take a good look at you to make sure that you are OK.

I hope that this is helpful for you.

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com
http://www.biggschiropractic.blogspot.com