Guyon Syndrome: Find out why cyclists experience numbness in their hands

Guyon Syndrome: Find out why cyclists experience numbness in their hands


Know the treatments and ways to avoid this problem while cycling

Guyon’s Syndrome consists of a condition of numbness in the hands that usually occurs in cyclists due to the long time they spend with their hands resting on the handlebars, putting part of the pressure and weight of their own body on them – which causes a hyperpressure effect on the the region called the hypothenar, where the ulnar nerve is located.




Guyon Syndrome: Find out why cyclists experience numbness in their hands

Thus, the ulnar nerve ends up being squeezed in Guyon’s canal, causing the injury and the symptoms. However, cyclist’s paralysis can still be caused by other external factors, such as trauma, tumors, among others.

Treatments for the syndrome

Numbness in the hands needs treatment every time it strikes the chronic phase, that is when the symptoms persist even at rest or appear with a certain frequency. The treatment is usually carried out with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and it may be necessary to use a brace in addition to physiotherapy sessions to recover hand movements and return to sporting activity. In addition, it is imperative that the patient takes care to prevent the paralysis from returning.



Alternating the position of the hands on the handlebars helps to avoid the syndrome

ways to prevent the condition

There are a few ways to prevent overpressure in the hypothenar region and avoid the symptoms of hand numbness in the region time to pedal. For example, it is worth trying to alternate the position of the hands on the handlebars and the use of gloves with padded protection, as well as trying to always use bicycles of the right size and with the appropriate adjustments for the height, ability and structure of the cyclist . It is also important to remember the need to stretch your hands and arms, stretching your wrists, fingers and waving your hands, both before and after exercise.

Text originally published in Revista Bicicleta (Edition 127)

By Gisele Gasparotto

Cyclist, founder and head of methodology and training of LuluFive (main brand in Brazil working with women’s cycling).

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Source: Terra

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