A pinched nerve encompasses a host of conditions in which one of your nerves is compressed or entrapped, which can lead to pain and other problems. A pinched nerve can develop in many areas in your body, but the most common examples are:
- Tennis elbow
- Herniated disc
- Sciatica
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
While this list is far from complete, it gives you an idea of the many conditions that can develop because of irregular pressure on one of your nerves.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
The answer to this is tricky because it depends upon the location of the nerve and how badly the nerve is compromised. That said, there are a few common red flags when it comes to a pinched nerve, which include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling, including “pins and needles”
- Muscle weakness
- An extremity, such as a foot or hand, that “falls asleep”
Many of these symptoms stay localized, or they may radiate along the path of the nerve. As an example, a pinched nerve in your wrist typically causes symptoms in your hand.
What causes pinched nerves?
Any number of conditions can lead to compression or impingement of a nerve, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Injury
- Repetitive use
- Bone spurs or tumors
- Herniated disc
This list is by no means comprehensive, as your nerves can be affected by a problem in any of the surrounding tissues, such as inflammation in a nearby tendon or ligament.
How is a pinched nerve treated?
After Dr. Chowdhury performs a complete analysis, including advanced imaging and nerve conduction studies, he comes up with a treatment plan that alleviates your symptoms and addresses the underlying cause of the pinched nerve. This plan may include:
- Medications to calm down a nerve
- Pain medication
- Bracing or splinting
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Epidural injections
- Decompression surgery
In some cases, Dr. Chowdhury may recommend surgery to relieve the pressure on your nerve, but he only suggests this course after exhausting less invasive treatments.
If you suspect you have a pinched nerve and you’re located in or around Dublin or Marion, Ohio, call or use the online booking tool to arrange for an appointment or ask your primary care physician for a referral.