Nerve Injury

Recently Answered

• QHow is a pinched nerve treated?

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  A Brian Yee , Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, answered

  When treating a pinched nerve it is important to take pressure off the nerve so it can conduct properly. In Physical Therapy, we can use mechanical traction or hands-on techniques to reduce the nerve symptoms. With these techniques we look for a reduction of pain, intensity, and distance that the nerve pain travels down the arm or leg.  Typically, the further the symptoms go down the arm or leg the worse the nerve symptoms are getting. Therefore, any treatment that the patient feels that  symptoms are lessening further down the leg and arm, and closer to the spine means that the nerve is being less pinched and irritated.

  The nerve itself should also be treated. When the nerve is pinched it can become inflamed and irritated. We use techniques called nerve mobilizations or ‘neurodynamics’ to improve the nerve’s mobility. Think of a nerve being like a bungy cord. Normally the nerve has enough elasticity to lengthen with the arm to reach and stretch. But when the nerve is irritated, it loses its elasticity and ability to lengthen the way it supposed to. It is important to improve the length of the nerve back to its normal length, like you would with an elbow that just had a cast removed from it.  With improved mobility of the nerve it has the ability to heal and have less pain.

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• QWhat is a stinger injury?

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  A National Academy of Sports Medicine answered

  A "stinger" is an injury of the brachial plexus often seen in football players having sustained a hit forcefully stretching the head and neck. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that exit the neck to provide sensation and movement to the arms. In the situation of a "stinger," these brachial plexus nerves are stretched beyond their normal limits causing temporary numbness and paralysis of the arm. In severe cases, like motorcycle accidents or high impact hits in football, this stretching injury can result in tearing (avulsion) of the nerves away from the spinal cord causing permanent damage and paralysis of the arm.

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• QWhat can cause ongoing tingling in the funny bone?

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  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  The "funny bone" feeling is caused by some irritation to the ulnar nerve in the elbow. This irritation may be caused by inflammation in the soft tissues around the elbow joint, irregularities in the tunnel through which the ulnar nerve passes, or the movement of the nerve when it's out of place. Whatever the cause may be, you should see a physician if the tingling sensation does not subside.
  
  (This answer provided for NATA by the Southern Utah University Athletic Training Education Program.)
• QWhat is lumbar radiculopathy in people with diabetes?

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  A American Diabetes Association answered

  Thoracic or lumbar radiculopathy is a common mononeuropathy (occurs when a single nerve is damaged). It occurs in the torso. It affects a band of the chest or abdominal wall on one or both sides. It seems to occur more often in people with type 2 diabetes. People with this neuropathy get better with time.
• QWhat are brachial plexus injuries?

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  A Riverside Center for Neurosciences answered

  The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Brachial plexus injuries are caused by damage to those nerves. The symptoms include a limp or paralyzed arm; lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist; and a lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand. Brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of trauma, tumors, or inflammation of the shoulder. There is a rare syndrome called Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, or brachial plexitis, which causes inflammation of the brachial plexus without any obvious shoulder injury. This syndrome can begin with severe shoulder or arm pain followed by weakness and numbness. In infants, brachial plexus injuries may happen during birth if the baby's shoulder is stretched during passage in the birth canal.

  The severity of a brachial plexus injury is determined by the type of damage done to the nerves. The most severe type, avulsion, is caused when the nerve root is severed or cut from the spinal cord. There is also an incomplete form of avulsion in which part of the nerve is damaged, which leaves some opportunity for the nerve to slowly recover function. Neuropraxia, or stretch injury, is the mildest type of injury Neuropraxia damages the protective covering of the nerve, which causes problems with nerve signal conduction, but does not always damage the nerve underneath.

  This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

• QWhat is the treatment for brachial plexus injuries?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Some brachial plexus injuries may heal without treatment. Many children who are injured during birth improve or recover by three to four months of age. The treatment for brachial plexus injuries includes physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery.

  This answer from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

• QWhat is the prognosis for brachial plexus injuries?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  The site and type of brachial plexus injury determines the prognosis. For avulsion and rupture injuries, there is no potential for recovery unless surgical reconnection is made in time. The potential for recovery varies for neuroma and neuropraxia injuries. Most individuals with neuropraxia injuries recover spontaneously with a 90-100% return of function.

  This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

• QWhat causes tingling in my hands and feet?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  

  Pinched nerves in your neck can result in tingling in your hands.

  Watch the video to find out from Dr. Oz what else can cause tingling in your hands and feet.

   
  
  
• QWhat can cause numbness in the shins?

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  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  Numbness in the shins can be caused by nerve damage. The nerve damage can occur in two places. Trauma directly to the lower leg can cause nerve damage at the site of injury. This type of numbness is very localized to the injured area. A second type of nerve damage can occur in the spine. Trauma to the lower spinal cord can cause numbness in the lower leg. This is because of injury at the origin site of the nerve. (This answer provided for NATA by the Eastern University Athletic Training Education Program)
• QWhat is handlebar palsey (Guyon's canal syndrome)?

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  A National Athletic Trainers' Association answered

  Handlebar palsy (clinically referred to as Guyon’s canal syndrome) is a condition in which the ulnar nerve becomes trapped. Symptoms include a pins and needles feeling into the ring and little finger, sometimes leading to a loss of sensation and a decrease in function of the muscles inside the hand. This usually occurs in cyclists due to the constant pressure of the handlebars against the ulnar nerve of the outside of the hand.

  (This answer provided for NATA by the Indiana University Athletic Training Education Program)