What to have ready for the call.
Before requesting care, note when the numbness or tingling started, whether it comes and goes, which hand or areas are involved, and how it affects ordinary activities. Include any weakness, pain, recent injury, repeated hand or wrist activity, and whether you are dropping objects or having trouble with usual hand movements. Have a current medication list and relevant health information available.
A callback request is not a diagnosis, prescription, referral, laboratory requisition, document, payment, or confirmed appointment. The clinic reviews the concern and may recommend another setting.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 for sudden loss of feeling in an arm. Do not wait for an online response or routine appointment for this emergency.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a callback.
Common questions about wrist and hand numbness or tingling.
What should I prepare before requesting care?
Write down when symptoms began, where they occur, whether they return or persist, and how they affect grip or ordinary hand movements. Include recent injuries or activities and a current medication list.
Can a virtual conversation be used for wrist or hand numbness or tingling?
The clinic decides whether a virtual conversation or another setting may fit after considering the information you provide. This guide does not determine which setting is appropriate.
When should I seek in-person assessment?
Seek in-person assessment for recurrent or persistent numbness, tingling, weakness, dropping objects, or difficulty with ordinary hand movements. Call 911 for sudden loss of feeling in an arm.
Can I use this guide to request a diagnosis, test, treatment, or prescription?
No. This guide is for patient preparation and care navigation. A care team may consider your concerns and decide on next steps; it does not promise a diagnosis, testing, treatment, prescriptions, or an appointment.
What information is this guide based on?
It uses MyHealth Alberta's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Care Instructions as its primary source, with MyHealth Alberta's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome information as an additional source.
Non-emergency request
Request a doctor call today.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. After a completed form submitted between 8 AM and 10 PM Mountain Time, a doctor usually calls back within 60 minutes. This is not a guaranteed callback, appointment, or live wait time. Requests submitted outside those hours do not have a 60-minute or same-day callback promise. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.