Pinched Nerve
Treatment Specialists in NJ & FL
Suffering from a pinched nerve? Try our pain assessment questionnaire to find the right treatment:
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Suffering from a pinched nerve? Try our pain assessment questionnaire to find the right treatment:
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure or compression is applied to a nerve. This pressure can be caused by surrounding anatomy, such as cartilage, muscles, tendons, tissues, and even bones, that have interrupted the normal function of the nerve and cause weakness, pain, tingling, and numbness.
The calling card of pinched nerves is radicular pain. Radicular pain follows the exact route of the affected nerve into the lower extremity. When the root of a pinched nerve becomes inflamed, the result is radiculitis. Radiculitis is known for causing “pins and needles” sensations as well as numbness and sharp pains. Due to the vast, complicated nature of the central nervous system, pinched nerves are often the result of other existing conditions.
A pinched nerve is, at its core, a symptom of a bigger issue; herniated discs, sciatica, bulging discs, disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, and even bone spurs have been known to cause pinched or impinged nerves.
The pain, numbness, tingling, and “pins and needles” sensation associated with a pinched nerve is typically felt in the arms and legs as it follows the route of the specific nerve that is pinched. The most common symptoms associated with pinched nerves occur due to:
The longer the nerve is impinged and untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage. Often the symptoms will increase and worsen over time without treatment. To seek prompt and proper treatment for your pinched nerve, confirm your diagnosis below.
If you think you are experiencing the symptoms of a pinched nerve, use our interactive condition check tool to start your diagnosis.
The secret to treating a pinched nerve lies in diagnosing the issue or condition that is causing the pressure on the nerve and where that compression is located. While diagnosing a pinched nerve, you could encounter the following tests to investigate your specific condition:
Conservative, non-surgical treatments are typically the first step in dealing with pinched nerves but this can be dependent on the stage and severity of the underlying issue. These treatment options include:
After non-surgical treatment options have been exhausted or the stage of your pinched nerve is deemed too severe, surgical treatment options are your next step. Because pinched nerves are often a symptom, the specific surgery will be determined based on the condition that is causing the pinched nerve.
For example, if your pinched nerve is the result of sciatica or a herniated disc, a surgical procedure called laminoforaminotomy could be the right path for you. If your pinched nerve requires a full disc to be removed, an artificial disc replacement may be the answer.
An ISSI spine specialist will be able to determine the exact pinched nerve treatment for you based on your specific underlying condition and its stage of progression.
Q: What is the most common cause for a pinched nerve?
A: In many cases, the cause of a pinched nerve is a herniated disc that has slipped out between vertebrae in the spinal cord and is pressing on the spinal nerve that goes down the leg.
Q: What happens if a nerve is pinched for too long?
A: If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, there’s often no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.
Q: Is heat good for a pinched nerve?
A: First, start by icing for 15 minutes, then wait for 30 minutes before icing again. Once the inflammation calms down, heat can help relax any tense muscles near the pinched nerve. Heat can also stimulate blood flow, which can aid in healing. Try using a heating pad or a warm compress.
Try our Interactive Pain Assessment to get started.
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