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Pinched Nerve

 

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as cartilage, muscles or tendons, or by surrounding bones.

 

This pressure disrupts the nerve’s function, typically causing:

  • pain
  • tingling
  • numbness
  • weakness.

 

While pinched nerves can occur throughout the body, the spine (including the back and neck) is one of the most common places. The nerve roots surrounded by the vertebral column are particularly vulnerable to becoming pinched because they are tightly crowded in the spinal canal.

 

Pinched Nerves in the Brain, Neck and Back

Nerves of the brain and spinal cord comprise the central nervous system. These nerves branch out and deliver impulses and instructions throughout the body. A spinal pinched nerve occurs when any of these nerves are put under pressure or become compressed.

 

The nerve compression results in pain and other symptoms that can limit the crucial functioning of these nerves. This can disrupt the appropriate signals to control the muscles of the body.

 

pinched nerves back neck spine brain

Pinched Nerve Symptoms

In addition to pain, pinched nerves may cause a number of other common symptoms.

 

Symptoms will vary according to the area in which the pinched nerve(s) occur. These areas are:

  • Cervical (upper) spine, where symptoms present in the neck, upper back, shoulders and arms
  • Thoracic (middle) spine, where symptoms present in the mid back, ribs, torso and internal organs
  • Lumbar (lower) spine, where symptoms present in the lower back, buttocks, hips and legs.

 

General signs and symptoms of pinched nerves include:

  • Radiating pain through the neck or lower back
  • Radiating pain through the leg or foot, often called sciatica
  • Radiating pain through the shoulder blade or arm
  • Muscle spasms
  • “Pins and needles” or tingling sensations
  • Arm or leg weakness or numbness.

What Causes a Pinched Nerve?

The typical causes and conditions listed below don’t necessarily result in symptoms. However, when these conditions also cause a pinched nerve, people will likely experience symptoms.

 

Many of these are common features of the aging process and/or of wear and tear on the relevant parts of the body:

pinched nerve symptoms diagnosis

Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve

In the event of a suspected pinched nerve, a thorough examination is conducted by a neurosurgical spine specialist. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact our team of expert neurosurgeons.

 

At your appointment, your doctor will discuss your general health and medical history, and review symptoms. The doctor will also perform a physical examination of the neck/back, examining for reflexes, muscle weakness or diminished sensation.

 

Additional tests for a pinched nerve may include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – An MRI is used to detect a herniated disc or spinal stenosis, which are conditions that can cause a pinched nerve. It can also show pinched or inflamed nerves and/or spinal cord or nerve root compression.
  • Nerve conduction study – This test can locate the exact area of the pain, tingling or numbness, thus indicating a pinched nerve. A nerve conduction study is usually done in conjunction with electromyography (EMG).
  • Electromyography (EMG) – EMG tests the function of nerve roots that emanate from the spine. If abnormal electrical signals in the muscles are detected, this may indicate that a nerve exiting the spine is being pinched.

 

A regular x-ray cannot show pinched nerves, only bones. Similarly, a CAT scan is also limited in identifying pinched nerves, and better for evaluating bones.

 

Pinched Nerve Treatment

In some cases, a pinched nerve can resolve on its own. There are also a variety of non-surgical options to treat pain and other symptoms of a pinched nerve. Pain relief can allow patients to undertake other rehabilitation measures, such as special exercises.

 

Care and Treatment for a Pinched Nerve

Conservative care is initially recommended to reduce symptoms of a pinched nervice. This includes the following:

  • Rest
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Hot/cold therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Corticosteroid injections (sometimes referred to as epidural steroid injections)

 

However, in other cases, surgery is clearly indicated. If the pain does not resolve over time or affects your quality of life, you should talk to a neurosurgeon about surgical treatment options.

 

pinched nerves treatment surgery

Surgery for Pinched Nerves

In the event that surgery is recommended, patients benefit from the advances and advantages of minimally invasive surgical techniques. These techniques include:

  • much smaller incisions
  • quicker surgical procedures
  • less trauma and less scarring to the surgical area
  • less surgical risk
  • fewer potential complications
  • shorter recovery times.

A full explanation of diagnostic testing and spinal surgical procedures for pinched nerves and other conditions is available here.

 

At Advanced Neurosurgery Associates, our spine expert Dr. Vivek Ramakrishnan is widely experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical and lumbar pinched nerves. Dr. Ramakrishnan works individually with each patient to customize care. If all nonsurgical methods are exhausted, and surgery is indicated, he utilizes minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.