A "pinched nerve" describes damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves that might cause discomfort or pain or impair functions. Such damage or injury could be caused by compression, stretching, or constriction. Mayoclinic.com says a pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons.
The condition can occur with nerves that pertain to motor functions or sensory functions. It has recognizable symptoms and various treatments.
General Symptoms and Signs
General symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on location and severity. If you have decreased sensation and numbness, whitening of the skin or shooting pains to your hands or feet, it's probably a pinched nerve.
Other typical indications include burning sensations, a tingling feeling of pins and needles around the pinched nerve or limbs, and the feeling of having a limb fall asleep.
If you are experiencing any loss of motor skills or reflexes, that might also be a sign of the condition.
Pinched nerves are more common in people who also display problems with diabetes, alcoholism, infection, arthritis, tumors or nutritional deficiencies.
Common Types of Pinched Nerve
The most common forms of the condition include carpal tunnel syndrome and a pinched nerve in the neck or back (often called peripheral neuropathy).
Carpal tunnel syndrome is generally caused by repetitive movements with the hands and wrists in a particular position. If you work in an office and use the computer daily, or in a factory job that requires repetitive hand use, you might develop this condition. Symptoms include loss of feeling, a tingling sensation and loss of motor skills with your hands. Once the condition exists, extensive time using the hands or wrists will make any pain or symptoms more apparent.
Peripheral neuropathy is explained by Nathan Wei, MD, FACP, FACR on arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com, as a general term for disorders of the peripheral nervous system (the nerves connected from the brain to the spinal cord). Pinched nerves there can cause symptoms that affect your sensory functions or motor functions--especially those pertaining to your arms, legs, hands and feet.
Treatment Options
Treatment for a pinched nerves and associated symptoms is often rest or immobilization for the injured area until the pressure is relieved. Your doctor might prescribe medication, along with physical therapy or other treatments.
In more extreme cases, surgery can be used to fix severe nerve damage. Be sure to consult with your doctor on diagnosis and treatment.
Tags: pinched nerve, damage injury, hands feet, hands wrists, loss motor