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Nerves are like electrical cords that carry
information from the brain to the rest of the body and
vice-versa. They are distributed throughout the entire
body. Motor nerves carry information from the brain out
to the body. This allows the brain to send commands to
the various organs of the body. For example, these
commands are sent to the muscles causing them to
contract and move, or sends information to the heart to
either beat faster or slower. Sensory nerves send
information from the body back to the brain for
processing, including information about pain, touch,
taste, temperature, or other sensations. The information
travels along the nerve by an electrochemical signal,
much like information traveling along an electrical
cord. When a nerve is pinched, the signal is interrupted
somewhere along its path.
A pinched nerve is caused when a nerve is somehow
damaged or injured by direct pressure or compression and
is unable to properly conduct its signal. There are many
potential causes for a pinched nerve, depending on the
location of the nerve. A pinched nerve in the neck or
lower back can be caused by a herniated disc, arthritis,
bone spurs, or spinal stenosis. A pinched nerve in the
lower back or buttock can compress the sciatic nerve,
which can cause sciatica. A pinched nerve in the wrist
can be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Cubital tunnel
syndrome is a similar condition caused by compression of
the ulnar nerve in the elbow. Both of these conditions
are more common in people with diabetes and people who
perform repetitive activities such as a typist, using a
computer keyboard for long periods of time, or assembly
line workers. Swelling around a nerve can be caused by
an injury, bruise, or other conditions, including the
swelling of the extremities that can occur with
pregnancy.
The symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on what nerve
is affected. Each nerve is responsible for sending
information to or from specific parts of the body. The
most common symptoms of a pinched nerve are: Pain
Numbness
Tingling (pins and needles)
Weakness
of the muscles along the path of the nerve
A pinched nerve sensation may feel like, for example,
the sensation when a part of your body has "fallen
asleep." It can cause symptoms at the site of damage, or
any location further down the path from the affected
nerve. In the neck a pinched nerve can cause neck pain
or stiffness, along with symptoms down the arm. A
pinched nerve in the lower back causes back pain and
stiffness with symptoms down the leg. A doctor can often
identify which nerve is pinched based on what area of
the patient is effected.
When diagnosing a pinched nerve, the doctor will
begin by asking the patient various questions about his
or her pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other
symptoms. The patient may also be asked about other
medical conditions, work history, and family medical
history. This information can often assist in
identifying the nerve(s) affected. The doctor will then
examine the part of the body involved. This may include
testing the patient's strength, sensation, and muscle
tone in specific muscles. Depending on the results of
the medical history and the physical examination, the
patient may need additional tests. X-rays may be
necessary to assess possible injury to the spine or
arthritis of the spine. Depending on the severity and
duration of the patient's symptoms, he or she may also
need a CT scan or an MRI scan. These imaging studies
provide additional information about a pinched nerve not
seen on regular X-rays.
In many cases a pinched nerve can be treated with
rest and ice. If the pinched nerve is in the arm (carpal
tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome) the doctor
may recommend a brace for a short period of time. The
brace limits the amount of movement around the nerve,
which allows it to rest and recover. The brace also
prevents the patient from movements that may further
compress or pinch the affected nerve. A brace used for
carpal tunnel syndrome covers the wrist and and is
extended slightly back. This is because during flexion
(bending the wrist down) the median nerve in the wrist
is further pinched. The brace for cubital tunnel
syndrome in the elbow can be used to keep the elbow from
bending too much which further stretches the ulnar
nerve.
Physical therapy Physical therapy can
assist to stretch and strengthen specific muscles in the
body, which helps relieve the pressure on the pinched
nerve.When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out,
the nerves may become pinched. A herniated disc may
occur suddenly in an event such as a fall or an
accident, or may occur gradually with repetitive
straining of the spine. Often people who experience a
herniated disc already have spinal stenosis, a problem
that causes narrowing of the space around the spinal
cord and spinal nerves. When a herniated disc occurs,
the space for the nerves is further diminished, and
irritation of the nerve results.
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