Pinched Nerve

What is a pinched nerve?

Your body is a marvelously complex cooperation of systems working together, but with all the hustle and bustle of daily life, small shifts in the bones, muscles, tendons, or cartilage can apply pressure to your nerves.

When this compression impacts how well your nerves can relay signals, you may feel the effects in many different parts of your body, such as your back, legs, or hands.

Is my pain due to a pinched nerve?

Pinched or compressed nerves can lead to various painful conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and radiculopathy. The most common symptoms include:

• Radiating pain that travels down a limb
• Sharp, aching, or burning pain
• Muscle spasms
• Tingling or numbness
• Sensation loss
• Muscle weakness

You may feel that part of your extremities (usually a hand or foot) has pins and needles or “fallen asleep.” Schedule an appointment with the Pioneer Peak Orthopedics team if your symptoms persist for several days and self-care measures (such as taking pain relievers and resting) aren’t helping.

How are pinched nerves diagnosed and treated?

The team starts with a thorough, comprehensive evaluation and discusses your medical history and discomfort. If your symptoms indicate a pinched nerve, your provider may order tests or diagnostic procedures, such as:

• Nerve conduction studies
• X-rays
• Spinal tap
• Electromyography (EMG)
• High-resolution ultrasound

Once your pinched nerve is diagnosed, your provider can develop a care plan tailored to your needs. They may recommend:

Immobilization

Resting the affected area and stopping any activities that compress it may ease your pain. Your provider can provide a splint, brace, or collar to keep an area still — for example, wearing a splint while asleep can help with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Physical therapy

Strengthening and stretching your muscles may relieve pressure on key areas. The team can also help you modify your daily activities to avoid aggravating the pinched nerve.

Medications

Medications and steroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation.

Surgery

If you’ve tried conservative treatments but still haven’t seen an improvement after several weeks, the team may look into surgical options to take pressure off the nerve. The surgery type will depend on the location of the pinched nerve.

If you are struggling with pain from a pinched nerve, call Pioneer Peak Orthopedics to schedule a consultation or visit the orthopedic walk-in clinic today.