Is a pinched nerve a medical condition?
Depending on the cause and severity of the pinched nerve, surgery may be needed. The term “pinched nerve” is a colloquial term and not a true medical term. It is used to describe one type of damage or injury to a nerve or set of nerves. The injury may result from compression, constriction, or stretching.
What happens if a pinched nerve is left untreated?
If left untreated, it may lead to permanent nerve damage. The most common symptoms of a pinched nerve include neck pain that travels down the arms and shoulders, difficulty lifting things, headache, and muscle weakness and numbness or tingling in fingers or hands.
Can you become paralyzed from a pinched nerve?
Lumbar radiculopathy is pressure on one of the nerve roots in your lower back. It can cause hip pain and sciatica, or shooting pain in your leg. Incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or paralysis can also occur in severe cases.
Will an EMG show a pinched nerve?
What is an EMG? Electromyography (EMG) is a safe and relatively painless test to discover whether your nerves are functioning properly. An EMG is one of the tools we use to detect and diagnose pinched nerves.
Does vitamin B12 help with nerve pain?
Vitamin B12 regenerates the nerves, protecting them from damage. A deficiency in vitamins B12 or B1 may be partly responsible for your nerve pain.
What doctor to see for pinched nerve?
An orthopedist, or orthopedic physician, is a medical professional who has completed several years of specialized training after graduating from medical school. Orthopedists focus on the musculoskeletal system, treating conditions such as pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis and herniated discs,…
What is the best medicine for pinched nerve?
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen may be helpful. Injections of corticosteroids (an anti-inflammatory medication) may also be beneficial for many types of pinched nerves. For cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, splinting or bracing the wrist is often used.
What are the long term effects of a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve can cause symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of the pinched nerve. Most people improve from a pinched nerve with rest, ice, medication, or physical therapy. Weakness or wasting of the muscles from a pinched nerve can suggest permanent nerve injury.