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.
Nerve Injury
Pressure or stretching injuries can make fragile nerve fibers break, causing a loss of feeling and improperly working muscles. In a nerve, the fibers are surrounded by insulation. Sometimes the fibers can break while the insulation remains intact. If a nerve is cut, the nerve fibers and insulation are severed and need surgery to be repaired. New nerve fibers can grow, and the nerve can work again, as long as the insulating cover can be saved. With the cover intact, new nerves can grow about once inch each month, taking about a year for feeling to return. You might have a pins-and-needles sensation in the meantime.
Recently Answered
-
1 AnswerA
Riverside Center for Neurosciences answeredThe 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.
-
1 AnswerA
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.
-
1 AnswerA
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) -
1 AnswerA
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)
-
1 AnswerA
The temporary loss of sensation and function in your hand is called neuropraxia, which may result from either a direct trauma or from compression of a peripheral nerve against the bones in the hand. Damage to the ulnar nerve may result in a loss of strength of the fourth and fifth fingers. A characteristic of this type of injury is benediction or bishop’s deformity, in which the ring and little finger are in a flexed position and can’t be extended. You should see a doctor to determine the exact nature of the injury as well as the proper course of treatment.
(This answer provided for NATA by the Indiana University Athletic Training Education Program)
-
1 AnswerA
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.)