Pinched Nerve or Nerve Compression FAQ

Pinched Nerve or Nerve Compression Syndrome is also known as compression neuropathy or entrapment neuropathy. Nerve compression or entrapment neuropathy is caused by the direct pressure, pinch or squeeze of peripheral or spinal nerve. Pinched or entrapped nerve causes symptoms of tingling, numbness or weakness. Nerve inflammation precedes irritation of the nerve.

Peripheral nerve is embedded within subcutaneous tissue, muscle and lies over the bone. Nerve is pinched when nerve is squeezed by surrounding soft tissue swelling, fracture fragments of bones or cartilages. Muscles, tendon or bursa may exert pressure over the peripheral nerve by forming cyst, lump or tumor.

Symptoms caused by peripheral nerve entrapment or nerve compression are spread along the nerve and through the dermatome supplied by the entrapped nerve. Symptoms of pinched or entrap neuropathy are as follows:

• Chronic pain.
• Tingling and numbness along the nerve distribution.
• “Pins and Needles Sensation” or a Burning Sensation.
• Weakness of the muscles receiving motor nerve supply

Causes of Peripheral Nerve Compressions are as Follows:

• Occupational Injuries: Types of occupational injuries are as follows:

1. Positional Injury – is often caused by resting upper body on elbow continuously while at work which can cause Ulnar Nerve Compression.
2. Repeat Movement – Repeat movements of hand and wrist while typing and sewing can cause hypertrophy of ligaments and carpal tunnel around wrist joint. Carpal tunnel hypertrophy causes median and ulnar nerve compression at wrist. Such peripheral nerve injury is observed in individual working on computer or working as tailor.
3. Recurrence Vibration Movements – Frequent use of jackhammer can cause median, radial or ulnar nerve injury.

• Nerve Injury Caused by Tight Fitting Braces or Cast: Peripheral nerves of upper and lower extremities may be pinched by tight braces and cast. Braces and cast are used after joint surgery and following treatment of fractured bones in extremities for several weeks. Brace or cast if tightly applied over the skin may result in pinch or squeeze of peripheral nerve. Nerve compression after application of cast or braces are frequently seen with the peripheral nerves positioned close to elbow, wrist and knee joint. Peripheral nerve compression commonly observed are radial nerve at upper extremities, ulnar nerve at elbow, median nerve at wrist and peroneal nerve at knee joint.

• Tumor – Progressive growth of tumor mass at or near peripheral nerve results in nerve compression. Space occupying growth of tumors mass such as lipoma, neurofibroma and metastasis displaces surrounding soft tissue and if space is unable to expand then causes pinched and squeezing pressure over the nerve.

• Cyst and Hematoma – Ganglion cyst and hematoma at or near nerve causes pressure-induced ischemic changes of nerve because of compression of blood vessels. Nerve Compression or pinched nerve is often seen in extremities following soft tissue injury or fracture.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Median nerve passes through carpal tunnel. Hypertrophy (thickening) of the fibrous tissue of the transverse carpal ligament causes severe pinch of median nerve. Hypertrophy or thickening of the transverse ligament is seen after trauma, repeat use of wrist, diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism and hyperparathyroidism.

• Endocrinal and Connective Tissue Diseases – Acromegaly, hypothyroidism and scleroderma causes thickening and shrinkage of soft tissue surrounding the peripheral nerve. Diseases such as acromegaly and hypothyroidism causes soft tissue hypertrophy resulting in pressure over peripheral nerve.

• Peripheral Neuropathy – Diabetes may cause nerve peripheral damage such as mononeuropathy.

• Nerve Ischemia (Reduced Blood Supply) – Pressure, pinch or squeeze of peripheral nerve results in compression of the blood vessels on the surface of nerve. Blood vessels running over the surface of peripheral nerve are called Vas Nervorum. Prolonged pinch or squeeze of Vas Nervorum causes nerve ischemia (lack of blood supply). Ischemic nerve initially undergoes inflammatory changes and heals with scarring. Scarring causes irreversible nerve damage.
• Nerve Edema– Fluid build-up around nerve is recognized as edema. Edema is observed within myelin tissue of nerve and surrounding soft tissue. Nerve edema causes extra pressure over the nerve and results in ischemia.

• X-ray.
• CAT Scan.
• MRI.
• Nerve Conduction Studies may confirm the severity of nerve injury and single or multiple nerve involvement.
• Electromyography (EMG) Study includes test for muscles movement and a nerve conduction velocity test.

• Arthritis
• Tendinitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Bursitis
• Back Strain
• Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency
• Myalgia
• Fibromyalgia

• Endocrinal Disease – Hypothyroidism, Acromegaly and Menopause.
• Metabolic Disease– Diabetes.
• Diseases of Bones and Joints – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis.

• Median Nerve – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Pronator Teres Syndrome.
• Ulnar Nerve – Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Guyon’s Canal Syndrome.
• Radial Nerve – Radial Nerve Compression in Axilla, Proximal Forearm (near elbow joint), Distal Forearm (near wrist joint- Wartenberg’s Syndrome).
• Subscapular Nerve – Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment.
• Common Peroneal Nerve – Gets compressed following fracture of fibula or tight cast over peroneal nerve.
• Lateral Cutaneous Nerve of Thigh – Gets entrapped by hernia or scar tissue within inguinal canal.
• Sciatic Nerve – Gets entrapped by piriformis muscle resulting in piriformis syndrome.
• Iliohypogastric Nerve Entrapment: This occurs after injury and scarring of the abdominal tissue surrounding nerve.
• Obturator Nerve – Gets entrapped in obturator canal.
• Pudendal Nerve – Gets entrapped in pelvis after soft tissue swelling as in obesity or scarring following surgery over perineum.

• NSAIDs – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Naproxen reduce edema and nerve inflammation.
• Oral Corticosteroids – Reduces swelling, inflammation and pain.
• Narcotics – Prescribed as analgesics for pain.

A splint is used to restrict joint motion and allows muscles to rest for brief periods.

• Application of heat or ice.
• Exercise – directed to strengthen muscles.
• Stretching Exercises – improves tone and power of muscles.
• Massage – relieves spasm, swelling and edema.

• Steroid Injections – corticosteroids reduces swelling and inflammations

• Decompression Surgery
• Removal of Cause of Pinch Nerve- Removal of bone fragments, treatment of fracture, removal of cyst or tumor and excision of scar tissue

• Deep Tissue Massage
• Holistic Remedies
• Vitamin Supplements

References:

Also Read:

• Pinched Nerve Pain: Types, Symptoms, Treatment- Conservative, Medications, Surgery
• Recovery Time for Pinched Nerve Surgery
• Can Massage Hurt A Pinched Nerve?|What are the Effective Massages for Pinched Nerve?
• What Are The Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve In Your Upper Back?
• Pinched Nerve in Ankle: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercises
• What Happens If You Let A Pinched Nerve Go Untreated?