Orthopedics-Online

These symptoms indicate a pinched nerve

introduction

Pain that emanates from the back and can be accompanied by tingling and numbness is often caused by a pinched nerve. Despite the sometimes pronounced symptoms, it is usually a harmless disease that should best be treated by briefly taking painkillers and as much exercise as possible. Relief postures and passive measures such as massages should be avoided. In some cases, a pinched nerve is caused by a herniated disc. If there are deficits such as paralysis in the foot, this may need to be treated specifically. In addition, nerves can be constricted in narrow areas of the body such as the wrist and lead to tingling or paralysis of the fingers. Treatment is often required here too.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve

Pain, which can radiate to other regions, speaks in favor of a pinched nerve. If these start from the lower back, they often radiate into the thighs, for example. Pinched nerves in the neck can radiate into the arms or head. Typically, the symptoms can be triggered by exercise. The painful nature of a pinched nerve is usually described as stabbing or shooting in. Other typical complaints include tingling or numbness. If even muscle weakness or paralysis of body parts occurs, a doctor should be consulted. In such a case, a pronounced herniated disc is often responsible for these symptoms.

also read: Nerve constriction syndrome

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Pain with a pinched nerve

Pain is a typical symptom of a pinched nerve. These are mostly located in the back and can occur in all areas from the neck to the tailbone. The pain often radiates to other regions such as the legs. Many people suffer from back pain, but in most cases there is no underlying disease that can be specifically treated. Despite the often very pronounced symptoms, it is not a dangerous clinical picture. In addition, it is usually not possible to determine with certainty whether a pinched nerve is actually responsible for the pain or whether, for example, muscular problems are more responsible for the symptoms. Ultimately, however, a distinction is irrelevant, since as much exercise as possible (walking, swimming, cycling) is important for any type of harmless back pain so that the symptoms subside. To make this possible, the short-term intake of painkillers for a few days is often indicated.

also read:

Nerve pain
Duration of a pinched nerve

Numbness and tingling with a pinched nerve

Nerves represent, among other things, the signal paths for sensations such as touch or pain from the individual parts of the body to the brain. If the conduction path is stimulated, for example by an entrapment, this leads to faulty signal transmission, which the brain perceives as a tingling sensation, for example. The tingling sensation is felt in the area that the nerve supplies with its endings. If a nerve is more pinched, it can happen that no more signals from the associated part of the body arrive in the brain. This results in a feeling of numbness. This can happen, for example, when you sleep on your arm and thereby pinch a nerve. Temporary or intermittent tingling or numbness with a pinched nerve is not dangerous. However, if the normal feeling does not return after a while, a medical examination should be carried out if necessary.

You might also be interested in this topic: Does a tingling sensation indicate a herniated disc? such as Is numbness an indication of a herniated disc?

Muscle weakness and paralysis

If a nerve is squeezed particularly hard, muscle weakness or even paralysis can result. A harmless example is when you wake up with your hand “asleep” and cannot move it normally at first. After a short time, however, the normal feeling returns and you can move your hand normally. However, muscle weakness or paralysis of the arms or legs can also be a warning sign of a pronounced herniated disc. Therefore, if you suspect that you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Typical symptoms of paralysis caused by a herniated disc are, for example, when you can no longer walk or stand on your heels or toes. Usually only one leg is affected.

Differences from a herniated disc

The symptoms caused by a pinched nerve can in part resemble the symptoms caused by a herniated disc. Both clinical pictures can cause back pain and abnormal sensations as well as a radiation of pain into a leg or arm.

However, the herniated disc can also lead to failure symptoms such as muscle weakness in the muscles of the lower or lower foot. In addition, pain that radiates below the knee is more likely to suggest a herniated disc than a pinched nerve. However, a differentiation based on the symptoms can often not be made with certainty, so that in case of doubt it is better to consult a doctor. This can determine the most likely cause through a physical examination and decide whether further diagnostics can be useful. Should paralysis occur in the arms or legs or even an unwanted stool or urine leakage, a doctor must be consulted immediately, as these may be signs of spinal cord damage as part of a herniated disc.

Read more about this: Signs of a herniated disc

Symptoms of a pinched sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body and runs from the lower back under the gluteal muscles to the leg, divides in the lower leg and extends with its last fibers to the tips of the toes. On the one hand, it transmits signals such as touch or pain from the entire back of the leg via the spinal cord to the brain and, on the other hand, it transmits stimuli from the brain to the muscles, which are necessary for the movement of the legs, for example. Typically, when the nerve becomes entangled, there is lower back pain that can radiate to the thigh. You may also feel numb and tingling in your buttocks or thighs. The possible symptoms are varied and depend on the area in which and how severely the nerve is pinched. A herniated disc is the more likely cause of pronounced tingling sensations that extend beyond the knee as well as muscular failure symptoms. If in doubt, the symptoms should be clarified by a doctor.

Further information: Pinched sciatic nerve or Pinched nerve in the buttocks

Symptoms of a pinched ulnar nerve

The ulnar nerve is one of three nerves that supply the hand and arm. The special thing about this nerve is that it is sometimes quite superficial and can therefore be easily irritated. In the area of the elbow it runs through a narrow bony groove directly under the skin. If you bump into this spot, which is also known as the “musician's bones”, the forearm and hand feel tingling and numb. Irritation, for example through an entrapment, can basically occur along the entire course of the nerves. For example, irritation in the area of the wrist is possible. This can lead to discomfort on the ring and little finger and the edge of the hand. In the case of severe entrapment, the gripping function of the hand can also be impaired.

Symptoms of a nerve clamp on the atlas

The atlas is the uppermost cervical vertebra and, together with the second cervical vertebra (axis), represents the joint between the spine and the skull. The joint, which consists of the structures mentioned, enables the head to move such as turning, tilting sideways and bending back and forth. Due to a mostly jerky load, for example in a traffic accident, the atlas can be shifted and press on the nerve pathways of the spinal cord. In addition to pain and tingling sensations in the neck, symptoms can also result in visual disturbances, drowsiness and temporomandibular joint problems. After a traffic accident, an imaging of the cervical spine may therefore have to be performed in order to detect or exclude a displacement or injury to the atlas or other structures.

Symptoms of an entrapment on the shoulder

The symptoms of a pinched nerve on the shoulder are usually sharp shooting pains that are often felt forward towards the chest wall. They are dependent on the movement and usually only localized on one side. Muscular tension is often the actual cause of the symptoms. The nerves only convey the pain signal. The most important thing to do with a pinched nerve on the shoulder is movement that involves the arms. Jogging, walking and swimming are suitable for this purpose. If mobility is restricted due to the pain, pain relievers can be taken for a few days. In addition, a locally applied heat treatment on the shoulder blade, for example by irradiation with a red light lamp, can provide additional relief. If, in addition to the pain, there are paralysis or paralysis in the arm, a doctor should be consulted.

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