What are Nerve Entrapment Symptoms?

Pinched Nerve Warning Signs: Tingling, Pain & More

Unusual sensations such as burning, numbness, or tingling in your hands or other limbs that persist may be a warning sign of nerve entrapment syndrome. These conditions arise when a nerve (or nerves) gets "trapped" by surrounding tissues (bones, cartilage, or tendons).

The issue may seem subtle, but leaving it untreated can cause chronic pain and function loss in the limbs. Early understanding of the symptoms and the correct diagnosis can prevent aggravation and physical complications.

Read on to understand what nerve entrapment means, its symptoms, causes, and other details.

What is Nerve Entrapment?

When you apply pressure from both sides on a part of your skin, you "pinch" it. We can think of nerve entrapment as a "pinched" nerve, where the nerves get trapped or pinched by surrounding tissues. Your brain uses the neural network (network of nerves) to relay messages to your body. Nerve entrapment disrupts this relay of messages, resulting in numbness, pain, or tingling.

Nerve entrapment syndrome, also called nerve compression syndrome, is caused by repetitive injuries that pressurise the nerves. Nerve entrapment syndrome, also called nerve compression syndrome, often results from repetitive injuries and underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or hypothyroidism. The types of nerve entrapment are:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition develops due to a compression of the median nerve in your wrist.
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Also known as ulnar nerve entrapment or ulnar neuropathy, the signs of this condition arise due to the compression of the nerve at your elbow (the ulnar nerve). The unusual feeling you get when hitting your funny bone is because of this nerve.

These are the most common nerve entrapment syndromes. However, apart from these, there are other types.

• Suprascapular nerve compression syndrome
• Guyon’s canal syndrome
• Meralgia paresthetica
• Radial nerve compression syndrome

What are the symptoms of nerve entrapment?

The symptoms of nerve entrapment will vary based on its location. They appear gradually and go away after a certain period. The symptoms depend on the affected area. However, the common symptoms include:

• Tingling and burning sensations.
• A feeling of numbness (minimised or a complete loss of sensation in the affected area).
• A sharp shooting pain (also known as a feeling of pins and needles).
• Limbs falling asleep.
• Reduced flexibility.
• Muscle cramping or twitching.
• Pain that gets worse with specific movements.
• Hypersensitivity of the skin over the compressed nerve area.

These symptoms can be confined to the affected area, or in severe cases, the pain may radiate along the nerve path.

How is Nerve Entrapment Diagnosed?

Early diagnosis of a serious condition such as nerve entrapment is crucial. The diagnosis process involves a physical examination looking for changes in reflexes and muscle weakness. Other tests to confirm the condition include:

• Blood tests to check underlying issues such as diabetes and thyroid levels.
• A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is used to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the spine to check for signs of infection.
• X-rays to check bone positioning.
• Nerve conduction tests are used to determine neural damage.
• EMG (Electromyography) to confirm the diagnosis, locate the site of entrapment, and assess the severity of the damage.
• Ultrasound to look for pinched nerves.

What are the treatments for nerve entrapment?

Medical care for a pinched nerve (nerve entrapment) can be non-surgical or surgical, based on the severity and location of the condition.

Non-surgical treatments:

Home Remedies:

• Hot and cold therapy
• Posture adjustment
• Stretching exercises
• Lifestyle changes such as weight loss

Medications:

• Oral corticosteroids for swelling and pain.
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), for pain.
• Anti-seizure medicines such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise).
• For nerve-related pain, nortriptyline (Pamelor) and amitriptyline

Surgical Treatments

Your neurologist will offer surgical options only if the non-surgical options fail to provide any relief. The surgery will depend on the location of the entrapped nerve. The surgical options include:

• Opening the nerve tunnel.
• Removal of cysts or tumours (if present).
• Transfer (relocate) nerves.
• Repair of damaged nerves.

We usually tend to underestimate the nerve entrapment syndrome. That's because the initial symptoms are subtle. In cases such as this, it is essential to listen to your body. A persistent tingling finger or burning sensation is a warning sign you shouldn't ignore. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will help manage the symptoms and make life easier.

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