Description

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

A pinched nerve can occur in many areas of the body. For example, a herniated disc in the lumbar spine can put pressure on a nerve root. This may cause pain that radiates to the back of the leg. A pinched nerve in your wrist can lead to pain and numbness in the hand and fingers, known as the carpal tunnel syndrome.

With rest and other conservative treatments, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks. Sometimes, surgery is needed to relieve the pain of a pinched nerve.

Symptoms

Pinched nerve symptoms, which include:

  • Numbness or less sensation in the area supplied by the nerve.
  • Acute, pain or a burning feeling that may radiate to the outside.
  • Tingling or a pins and needles sensation.
  • Muscle weakness in the affected area.
  • Often it feels as if a foot or hand has "fallen asleep."

The symptoms related to a pinched nerve may be worse when you're asleep.

When to see a doctor

Self-care measures, such as rest and analgesics available without a prescription may resolve the symptoms of a pinched nerve. Consult your health care professional if symptoms last for several days and did not respond to self-care.

Causes

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure, known as compression, is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues.

This fabric can be made of bone or cartilage, such as when a herniated spinal disc compresses a nerve root. Or of the muscles or tendons can compress a nerve.

In carpal tunnel syndrome, a variety of tissues may be responsible for the compression of the carpal tunnel the median nerve at the wrist. It can be caused by inflammation of the sheaths of the tendons within the tunnel, enlargement of the bones that are close to the tunnel, or a thickened and degenerated ligament.

A number of conditions that can cause the tissue to compress a nerve or nerves, including:

  • Of the injury.
  • Rheumatoid and arthritis of the wrist.
  • The stress of repetitive work.
  • Hobbies or sports.
  • Obesity.

If a nerve is pinched for only a short period of time, often there is no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.

Risk factors

The following factors may increase your risk of suffering from a pinched nerve:

  • The sex assigned at birth. Women are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, possibly due to the fact that they have smaller carpal tunnels.
  • The bone spurs. Trauma or a condition that causes thickening of bone, such as osteoarthritis, can cause bone spurs. Bone spurs can stiffen the spine, as well as narrow the space where the nerves travel, pinching the nerves.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can compress the nerves, especially in the joints.
  • Disease of the thyroid. People with thyroid disease are at greater risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other risk factors include:

  • Diabetes. People with diabetes are at greater risk of nerve compression.
  • The excessive use. Jobs or hobbies that require repetitive hand, wrist or shoulder movements increase the risk of a pinched nerve. This includes the assembly line of the work.
  • Obesity. Excess weight can add pressure to the nerves.
  • Pregnancy. The water and the weight gain associated with pregnancy can become inflamed nerve pathways, the compression of the nerves.
  • Prolonged bed rest. Long periods of lying down can increase the risk of nerve compression.

Prevention

The following measures can help prevent the impingement of a nerve:

  • Maintain a good position. Do not cross your legs or lie in any position for a long time.
  • Incorporating strength and flexibility exercises in your regular exercise program.
  • To limit the repetitive activities and to take frequent breaks when you engage in these activities.
  • Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on the nerves.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a pinched nerve, your health care professional will ask about your symptoms and perform a physical examination.

If your healthcare provider suspects a pinched nerve, you may need some tests. These tests may include:

  • Blood tests. You may need tests to measure your fasting blood glucose or the levels of the thyroid.
  • Spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture. This test takes a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the area surrounding the spinal cord. The CSF can be sent to a laboratory and examined for signs of inflammation or infection.
  • The x-rays. These images show how the bones are placed. You can reveal whether there is a narrowing or damage that could cause a pinched nerve.
  • The nerve conduction study. This test measures electrical nerve impulses and functioning of the muscles and nerves through electrodes placed on the skin. The study measures the electrical impulses in your nerve signals when a small current passes through the nerve. The results of the test can show if you have a damaged nerve.
  • Electromyography (EMG). During an EMG, a needle electrode is inserted through the skin into various muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of your muscles when they contract and when they are at rest. The results of the test, tell your health care professional if there is damage to the nerves that lead to muscles.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed views of your body in multiple planes. This test can be used if your healthcare provider suspects that you have compression of the nerve root.
  • High-resolution ultrasound. The ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. It is useful for the diagnosis of nerve compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment

The most frequently recommended treatment for pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Stop any activity that causes compression or worsen symptoms.

Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint, collar or brace to immobilize the area. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need to wear a splint during the day and at night. The wrists to flex and extend to often during sleep.

Physical therapy

A physical therapist can teach you exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles to relieve pressure on the nerve. The physical therapist may also recommend that you modify the activities that aggravate the nerve.

Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nsaids) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help relieve the pain. Anticonvulsant medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant, Gralise) can help to nerve-related pain. Tricyclic medications such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), and amitriptyline can also be used.

Corticosteroids administered orally or by injection, it can help to minimize the pain and inflammation.

Surgery

If the symptoms do not improve after several weeks to a few months of conservative treatment, you may need surgery. The surgery can relieve the pressure on the nerve. The type of surgery varies depending on the location of the pinched nerve.

The surgery may involve the removal of bone spurs or a portion of a herniated disk in the spine. For carpal tunnel syndrome, the surgery involves cutting the carpal ligament to allow more space for the nerves pass through the wrist.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you first consult your health care professional. Because there's often a lot to discuss and the time can be limited, it is a good idea to prepare for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time of making the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. You could ask if you need to restrict your diet or wear loosefitting clothes if you need an imaging test.
  • Write down any symptoms you are experiencing. Include any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Have a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask during the appointment.

Prepare a list of questions will help you make the most of your time during your appointment. For the suspicion of a pinched nerve, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or long-term?
  • What treatment do you recommend it?
  • What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions?
  • Are there restrictions on the activities that must be followed?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend to visit?

In addition to the questions you have prepared, do not hesitate to ask the others during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask a series of questions. They may include:

  • What are your symptoms? Do you feel pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness?
  • Where, specifically, do you feel these symptoms?
  • How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • There is an activity or a situation that triggers your symptoms?
  • There is an activity or a situation that relieves your symptoms?
  • Do you have a job or a hobby that involves making repetitive motions?
Symptoms and treatment of Pinched nerve