Description

Peripheral nerves send messages from the brain and the spinal cord to the rest of the body. They help to make the things as you move the muscles of the body for walking and the feeling that the feet are cold. The peripheral nerves are made up of fibers called axons, which are isolated by the surrounding tissues.

The peripheral nerves are fragile and are easily damaged. A nerve injury can affect the ability of the brain to communicate with the muscles, and organs. Damage to the peripheral nerves are called peripheral neuropathy.

It is important to receive medical attention by a peripheral nerve injury as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and permanent damage.

Symptoms

With a peripheral nerve injury, the symptoms may vary from mild to severe, limiting their daily activities. Symptoms often depend on which nerve fibers are damaged:

  • The motor nerves. These are the nerves that regulate all of the muscles under his conscious control, such as those used for walking, talking and holding objects. The damage to these nerves can cause muscle weakness, pain, cramps and muscle spasms.
  • The sensory nerves. Because these nerves convey information about touch, temperature and pain, you can experience a variety of symptoms. These include numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. You may have difficulty walking, keeping your balance with your eyes closed, fastening buttons, or feel pain or changes in temperature. Injury to the sensory nerves can also cause pain.
  • Autonomous (aw-tuh-NOM-ik) nerves. This group of nerves that regulates activities that are not controlled consciously, such as breathing, the heart and the function of the thyroid and digestion. Symptoms may include excessive sweating, changes in blood pressure, inability to tolerate the heat, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Many peripheral nerve injuries that affect more than one type of nerve fiber, so that you can experience a variety of symptoms.

When to see a doctor

If you experience weakness, tingling, numbness, or total loss of feeling, consult your health professional to find out the cause. It is important for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries early.

Causes

Peripheral nerves can be damaged in several ways:

  • Injuries from an accident, a fall, or sports can stretch, compress, crush, or cut the nerves.
  • Medical conditions, such as diabetes, Guillain-Barré syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome, can damage the nerves.
  • Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome can also cause nerve damage.

Other causes include narrowing of the arteries, the changes in the hormonal balance, and tumors.

Risk factors

People who experience physical trauma or sports may be at increased risk of an injury that can stretch or compression of the peripheral nerves. People with certain medical conditions may also be at increased risk of peripheral nerve injuries. These conditions, especially diabetes, can put the nerves to a higher risk of compression.

Diagnosis

To diagnose lesions of peripheral nerves, your provider reviews your medical history. It will ask about any accidents or previous surgeries you have had, and about its symptoms. Your health care professional will also perform a physical and neurological examination. If there are symptoms of an injury to a nerve, you may need diagnostic tests, which may include:

  • Electromyography (EMG). In an EMG, a thin needle electrode is inserted into the muscle records the electrical activity of the muscle at rest and in motion. Reduction of the activity of the muscle may suggest nerve injury.
  • The nerve conduction study. The electrodes that are placed at two different points on the body to measure how the electrical signals that pass through the nerves.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of areas affected by damage to the nerves.
  • Ultrasound. As magnetic resonance imaging, these high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the area affected by the nerve damage.

Treatment

If a nerve is injured but not cut, the injury is more likely to heal. Injuries in which the nerve has been completely cut are more difficult to treat, and the recovery may not be possible.

Your treatment is based on the degree and cause of your injury and how well the nerve is healing.

  • If the nerve is healing correctly, you may not need surgery. You may need to rest the affected area until it's healed. The nerves recover slowly, and the maximum recovery can take many months or several years.
  • Regular checkups allow your health care professional to ensure that your recovery is on its way.
  • If your injury is caused by a medical condition, your health care professional about the condition.
  • Depending on the type and severity of the nerve injury, you may need medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to relieve your pain. The medications used to treat depression, seizures, or sleeplessness may be used to relieve nerve pain. Some people with peripheral nerve injuries may require corticosteroid injections to relieve the pain.
  • Your health care professional may recommend physical therapy to prevent stiffness, and restore function.

Surgery

If your injury does not seem to be healing properly, you may need surgery. A surgeon can use the EMG test in the operating room to assess if the scars nerves are recovering. Doing an EMG test directly on the nerve is more accurate and reliable than the test on the skin.

Sometimes a nerve that is located within a narrow space like a tunnel or is squeezed by scarring. When this happens, a surgeon can expand the space reduced or free the nerve from the scar.

If a section of an injured nerve is completely cut off or damaged beyond repair. A surgeon can remove the damaged part and re-connecting directly to healthy nerve. This is known as the nerve repair. Or the surgeon may place a piece of nerve from another part of the body to close a gap between the nerves. This is known as a nerve graft. These procedures can help the nerves re-grow.

If you have a severe injury to the nerve, surgery may restore the critical function of the muscles by means of the transfer of tendons of a muscle to another.

The restoration of the function

A number of treatments that can help restore the function of the affected muscles.

  • Braces or splints. These devices keep the affected limb, the fingers, the hand or the foot in the correct position to improve muscle function.
  • Electrical stimulator. The stimulator can activate the muscle innervated by a nerve injured, while the nerve regrows. However, this treatment may not be effective to all. Your health care professional can discuss the electrical stimulation with you, if that is an option.
  • The physical therapy. The therapy consists of specific movements or exercises to keep affected muscles and joints active. Physical therapy can prevent stiffness and help to restore the function and feel.
  • Exercise. The exercise can help improve muscle strength, maintain the range of motion and reduce muscle cramps.

Preparing for your appointment

Many tests may be used to help diagnose the type and severity of peripheral nerve injury. When you make your appointment, be sure to ask if you need to prepare for these tests. For example, you may need to stop taking certain medications a few days or avoid the use of lotions on the day of the test.

If possible, take along a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all of the information that is given to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you've forgotten or lost.

Other suggestions for making the most out of your appointment are:

  • Write down all your symptoms, including the manner in which you were injured, how long you have had your symptoms and if they have gotten worse over time.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • Ask questions. Children and adults with peripheral nerve injuries have several options to restore the loss-of-function. Be sure to ask about all available treatments for you or your child. If you run out of time, ask to speak with a nurse or have your health care professional I will call you later.
The symptoms and treatment of Peripheral nerve injuries