Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve can trigger all sorts of unpleasant sensations from tingling to burning, but often, the worst symptom is pain. If you’re suffering from sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, or another condition resulting from a pinched nerve, Wadid Zaky, MD, of Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center in Berlin, Maryland, can help. Dr. Zaky determines which nerves are affected and uses nonsurgical treatments to relieve the pressure. For relief of your pinched nerve symptoms, call Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center today or book an appointment online.

What is a pinched nerve?

A pinched nerve is one where the tissues nearby compress the nerve, irritating, squashing, or damaging it. The result is pain and other sensory problems, which vary depending on the nerve involved and the severity of the damage.

The most common sources of compression on your nerves are misaligned bones or outgrowths called bone spurs, damaged cartilage, and inflamed or thickened tendons and ligaments.

What symptoms do pinched nerves cause?

Pinched nerves frequently cause pain that radiates from the nerve into other parts of your body, following the path the affected nerve takes. Other symptoms of pinched nerves include:

• Numbness
• Pins-and-needles sensation
• Tingling
• Burning
• Weak muscles
• Loss of function

Dr. Zaky can identify which nerve is causing your symptoms with a CT scan or MRI and electrodiagnostics such as nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests and electromyography (EMG).

What conditions involve pinched nerves?

Nerves all over your body can suffer compression or damage, leading to the symptoms of a pinched nerve. The most common conditions involving pinched nerves include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Radial nerve compression
• Sciatica
• Cervical radiculopathy
• Lumbar radiculopathy

Radiculopathy is a term for pinched nerves in your spine. Cervical radiculopathy originates in your neck, while lumbar radiculopathy originates in your lower back. Sciatica is a form of lumbar radiculopathy where the sciatic nerve at the bottom of your spine comes under pressure.

Radiculopathy is also a common symptom of conditions like herniated discs and spinal stenosis, where damaged discs, bone spurs, or thickened ligaments pinch the nerves in your spine.

What treatments can help with pinched nerves?

Key types of treatment for pinched nerves include:

Rest or activity modification

Rest or activity modification can often help by reducing inflammation, which lessens the pressure on the affected nerve. 

You can also minimize the strain on some nerves by wearing a specially designed splint — this is often an effective solution for carpal tunnel syndrome, as the splint keeps your wrist straight, relieving pressure on the median nerve.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy is often vital to successful pinched nerve treatment, helping to relax the muscles pinching your nerves. Your therapist also shows you how to exercise correctly and what activities to avoid to reduce pressure on a pinched nerve.

Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective for easing both pain and inflammation. If these aren’t powerful enough, Dr. Zaky can inject a corticosteroid or a mix of steroids and local anesthetic into the affected tissues.

Regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections help accelerate the healing process and promote the growth of healthy new tissue.

If you’re experiencing pain or other symptoms of pinched nerves, call Dr. Zaky Spine, Pain & Joint Center today or book an appointment online.