A pinched nerve in your lower back is often linked to herniated discs that compress nerve roots in this area. It may also be caused by arthritis or injuries. You may feel sharp pain in your lower back, as well as in your buttocks and back of your leg.
In fact, sciatica may be a symptom of a pinched nerve in your lower back. Lower back pain may be acute, lasting only a few days. When left untreated, pinched nerves may lead to peripheral neuropathy. This may develop over the course of several weeks or years. If the pain lasts longer than a few days, see your doctor. Possible causes of chronic hip pain may include:. Shoulder pain from a pinched nerve usually originates in your upper spine as a result of:.
One way to tell your pain is from a pinched nerve and not a muscle strain is the sudden sharpness of the aches. The pain also tends to occur in one shoulder only.
Left untreated, arthritis or tendinitis of the shoulder may lead to chronic pain that can come and go for several weeks, months, or years. Frequent typing is commonly linked to pinched nerves in the wrist. Pinched nerves in the wrist can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is when you experience pain and numbness extending through your hand and fingers. Pain that lasts for longer than 2 months may indicate another underlying issues, such as arthritis.
Treatment for a pinched nerve starts with home remedies that help alleviate:. Spinal stenosis , a diagnosis associated with spinal arthritis, can result in the narrowing of the spinal column, in addition to herniated discs and bone spurs, which would lead to pinched nerves.
Degenerative disc disease , herniated discs, and age-related changes can also contribute to pinched nerves. Because nerves are designed to communicate sensory information between your brain and your body, symptoms of a pinched nerve can vary widely based on the location of the nerve.
Tingling and numbness, burning sensations, fatigue, and a lack of muscle control are some possible symptoms you may experience. The majority of people with a pinched nerve will be able to recover using conservative, non-invasive treatments. If you believe you may be suffering from a pinched nerve, you should always visit an orthopedic surgeon near you to ensure that is the problem and rule out any more serious spinal issues.
These doctor visits can also help determine if a more chronic ailment, like spinal arthritis, is to blame. If you are presenting with a simple pinched nerve, your doctor will likely recommend a number of home treatments.
Anti-inflammatory pain medications can be bought over-the-counter, like ibuprofen, and are often recommended to treat the inflammation that causes pain. Alternating heat and ice therapy, light massage, and avoiding strenuous activities are all recommended as well. Orthopedic doctors and surgeons treat pinched nerves in a variety of ways depending on the location and severity of the pinched nerve. Orthopedic doctors and surgeons frequently utilize a combination of a physical exam and diagnostic imaging tools to identify the affected nerves and develop a treatment plan accordingly.
Because a pinched nerve in one area can cause pain and discomfort in multiple areas of the body, it is important to receive treatment from a highly experienced and knowledgeable orthopedic doctor to receive the comprehensive care you deserve. Your particular situation may call for more conservative treatment to reduce inflammation in the area or nerve-related testing before it leads to anything chronic.
From herniated discs to rheumatoid arthritis, AICA orthopedic surgeons develop an individualized treatment plan that works for you and your body so you can experience pain relief and healing. Causes of a Pinched Nerve There are many examples of how a pinched nerve can occur and also lead to other conditions that affect the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, from more mild causes such as chronic poor posture to nerve damage from a car accident injury.
Spinal Misalignment Spinal misalignments are a frequent cause of disruptions in the nervous system because the spinal column houses all the nerves in the nervous system. Herniated Disc An example of a spinal disc compressing on a nerve is a herniated disc , where a misalignment causes a spinal disc to rupture and compress a nearby nerve root. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is commonly understood in the context of repetitive overuse of the hand and wrist, through writing, typing, and other common daily motions.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pinched nerves can also be caused by inflammation in the soft tissues near the nerve. The most commonly affected nerve root in cervical radiculopathy is the C7 nerve root, followed by the C6 and C8 nerve roots.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence state that people aged 50—54 years are more likely to experience cervical radiculopathy and that it is more common in males than females.
For many people, pain from a pinched nerve in the neck will resolve on its own within 4 weeks. If the symptoms of cervical radiculopathy do not clear up, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatments available.
A soft cervical collar can help minimize the amount of movement in the neck and thus reduce irritation of the nerve root. However, a person should not wear a cervical collar for more than 2 weeks , as it can cause the neck muscles to weaken. Physical therapy can help with a pinched nerve in the neck. Exercises aim to strengthen and stretch the neck muscles, thereby improving flexibility. Sometimes, traction can help gently stretch the joints in the neck and relieve pressure on the nerve.
They can reduce pain if the pinched nerve becomes irritated or inflamed. NSAIDs are widely available, and a person can purchase them from a pharmacy without a prescription. Corticosteroids are prescription oral medications that reduce swelling and inflammation around the nerve, alleviating pain. Steroid injections use anti-inflammatory medication to ease pain.
Doctors may offer a person a steroid injection if an MRI scan has confirmed a pinched nerve in the neck and if other treatments have not proven helpful. Steroid injections can be very effective in providing long-term pain relief in people with cervical radiculopathy.
Surgery aims to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and, in some cases, improve the alignment of the cervical spine. The aim of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion ACDF is to remove the disk or bone spurs causing nerve compression. During the procedure, the surgeon removes the disk and bone spurs causing the compression. They then fuse the two affected vertebrae together, which stabilizes the damaged part of the cervical spine.
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