Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve is a non-medical term used to describe a compressed nerve. A pinched nerve sensation occurs when surrounding tissues place too much pressure on a nerve. As a result, a person may experience short-term or long-term tingling, numbness, pain, or muscle weakness in the affected area.

There are several types of pinched nerves characterized by the location of the compressed nerve and the part of the body it serves. This includes the pinching of a root nerve in the spine which causes tingling and pain in other parts of the body. This is known as radiculopathy.

A common type of radiculopathy is sciatica which causes pain along the sciatic nerve in the lower back and down the legs. Other conditions that can develop as a result of a pinched nerve are:
• Radial tunnel syndrome which occurs when the radial nerve in the elbow is affected
• Carpal tunnel syndrome which occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is affected
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome which occurs when the tibial nerve in the heel is affected

Some people are more at risk of experiencing a pinched nerve than others. They include those who:
• Were assigned female at birth
• Have rheumatoid arthritis
• Have diabetes
• Have thyroid disease
• Have bone spurs
• Are pregnant
• Are obese
• Are age 50 and older
• Perform activities that require repetitive movement of the wrist, shoulders, or hands

Most cases of a pinched nerve are mild and symptoms may go away in a few days or weeks. Your doctor may recommend treatment that involves over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, resting the affected area, pausing certain activities, or applying heat and ice.

Do not ignore the symptoms of a pinched nerve if they last longer than normal. Chronic pain, numbness, tingling, or other associated symptoms can indicate a serious problem.

Early detection can help you avoid complications. Your doctor can diagnose a pinched nerve by ordering imaging tests such as MRI, blood tests, spinal tap, or a nerve conduction study. Surgery is often used as a last resort to treat long-lasting symptoms.

An untreated neurological condition can significantly interfere with your ability to function daily, but with the help of our expert team of neurologists, you can get the treatment you need to prevent disability and maintain a high-quality, active life. To schedule an appointment, please email neuro@jhmc.org.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

3 Common Causes of Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves occur when the tissues surrounding a nerve root press against it, causing symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness to occur in a particular part of your body. They’re fairly common, with approximately 80 out of every 100,000 adults in the United States experiencing pinched nerves at some point in life. They occur more often among people aged 50 or older, but they can happen at any age.

Pinched nerves develop most frequently in the neck, upper middle back, or lower back, and certain factors are often responsible for causing them. Some of these include:

Inflammation: When muscles and joints become inflamed, they can compress nerve roots. In young people, inflammation can occur due to a variety of factors, such as stress, disease, injuries, or obesity. In older people, it can more commonly result from chronic conditions such as arthritis.

Bone spurs: As people get older, the spine can experience a significant amount of wear and tear, causing spinal discs to flatten due to a loss of water content. This causes spinal vertebrae to move closer together and bone spurs to grow. These spurs, which are small growths of bone, can place pressure on nerve roots, causing them to become pinched. Bone spurs can also grow in other parts of your body and cause pinched nerves to occur in other locations.

Pregnancy: When a person becomes pregnant, the hormone relaxin is released into their body, causing ligaments to loosen in preparation for childbirth. This causes the body’s center of gravity to shift and can lead to compression and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The fetus itself can also contribute to pressure against this nerve.

If you’re experiencing pain due to a pinched nerve, you can receive high-quality treatment from a neurosurgeon at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-6713.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

What Are the Symptoms Of A Pinched Nerve?

Jamaica Hospital, Pinched Nerve

Our nerves are specialized cells that carry important messages throughout our bodies in the form of tiny electrical signals.  When too much pressure is applied to our nerves by surrounding tissues, ligaments or bones, it can result in a pinched – or compressed nerve.

A pinched nerve can occur in various parts of our bodies and they can cause radiating pain, tingling, numbness or weakness. Damage from a pinched nerve may be minor or severe. It may cause temporary or long-lasting problems.

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:

  • Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
  • Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward
  • Tingling, pins and needles sensations
  • Muscle weakness in the affected area
  • Frequent feeling that a foot or hand has “fallen asleep”

Symptoms may worsen when attempting certain movements, such as turning your head or straining your neck. Problems may also become worse while sleeping.

Certain medical conditions can contribute to the development of a pinched nerve. These include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Thyroid disease
  • Pregnancy

A pinched nerve can also occur as the result of an injury or from repetitive activities. Conversely, long periods of inactivity or lying down can also cause the problem.

Maintaining a healthy weight, stretching regularly, avoiding repetitive motions and practicing good posture are some tips to avoid developing a pinched nerve.

With rest and other conservative treatments, such as taking over-the-counter medications, most people recover from a pinched nerve within a few days or weeks

See your doctor if the signs and symptoms of a pinched nerve last longer or don’t respond to self-care measures.  Your doctor can provide treatment options to shrink swollen tissue around the nerve. Treatment options may include anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, or surgery.

To make an appointment to see a doctor at Jamaica Hospital to treat a pinched nerve, please call 718-206-7001.

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.