Are you struggling with persistent pain, muscle weakness, or numbness in a certain area of your body? You might have a pinched nerve. In some cases, this issue can resolve on its own. In most instances, though, it is best to seek professional medical attention. This blog post discusses what exactly a pinched nerve is and how an orthopedic physician may be able to help.
What Is a Pinched Nerve?
“Pinched nerve” is a general term that usually describes radiculopathy. There are several different types of radiculopathy. For example, sciatica is a common form of this condition. Cervical radiculopathy occurs in the neck, and thoracic radiculopathy affects the upper back. A pinched, or trapped, nerve could also cause carpel tunnel syndrome. What all such conditions have in common is the fact that a nerve becomes trapped, or pinched, between nearby tissues.
Pinched or trapped nerves can be the result of herniated spinal discs, arthritis, accidents, overuse, or other circumstances.
The symptoms and severity of a pinched nerve can range from mild to very serious. This condition could have a large negative impact on your quality of life. In some instances, untreated radiculopathy can cause permanent nerve damage. Rarely, paralysis may occur.
Seeking Treatment
If you suspect you have a pinched nerve, it would be wise to seek medical care as soon as you are able. In most cases, a non-surgical orthopedic physician is the most qualified type of doctor to help. First, they will perform a careful examination to confirm whether or not you have a pinched nerve. From there, they can recommend your next steps.
They can try a number of minimally invasive treatments that are designed to relieve pain and prevent permanent nerve damage. For example, they might try nerve hydrodissection, which involves injecting fluid into the space around the nerve to relieve pressure from surrounding tissues. They might also recommend osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which uses guided movements to promote healing. In some ways, it is similar to physical therapy.
Many doctors also offer treatments that can provide immediate and powerful pain relief to make you comfortable while you are striving to address the root cause of the problem.
If minimally invasive techniques do not seem to be working, your doctor will consider other options. If necessary, they can refer you to a surgeon. In most cases, though, surgery is avoidable.
A pinched nerve is a big deal! If you believe you have this condition, it would be in your best interests to get in touch with an orthopedic physician as soon as possible.
Meet the Practice
Dr. James Pinkston is board-certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and is proud to provide a range of non-surgical orthopedic treatments for patients suffering from pinched nerves and other painful conditions. If you are curious to learn how he and our team may be able to help you enjoy improved health and a better quality of life, contact our Asheville office at 828-417-9913.