How Is a Pinched Nerve Treated?

Pinched nerves occur when a nerve is compressed by surrounding tissues, and it’s more common in adults aged 50 and over. Since nerves travel throughout the body, a pinched nerve can occur in many areas. 

Because each case has different contributing factors, it’s wise to seek care. Our team of orthopedic and sports medicine specialists here at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center diagnoses and treats pinched nerves and related complications. Treatment depends on the location of the pinched nerve and the contributing factors.  

What leads to a pinched nerve?

Various issues can lead to a pinched nerve. Here is an overview of where pinched nerves commonly occur. 

Neck and back

Herniated disks and bone spurs are common causes of pinched nerves that occur along the spine. The bones of the spine are separated and cushioned by disks that have a fibrous outer ring of cartilage that surrounds a gel-like center. 

As you age, the disks of the spine undergo changes that can lead to disk herniation. Disks can lose their height, dry out, and crack. The inner gel-like structure can bulge out and put too much pressure on a nerve root. Injury and conditions such as arthritis and spinal stenosis can also lead to nerve compression.

Risk factors for a pinched nerve in the spine include:

• Poor posture
• Age
• Bone spurs
• Pregnancy
• Overweight and obesity

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and contributing factors, and may involve removing a bone spur or the damaged part of a disk.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common type of nerve entrapment. The median nerve is one of three main nerves in the forearm and hand. It’s housed in the carpal tunnel and travels through the wrist and fingers. Injury and activities that strain the wrist can entrap the median nerve and cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and pain in the wrist, fingers, and/or hand. Some patients experience weakness in the wrist or hand, and this can make it challenging to grip things.

Risk factors include:

• Repetitive work involving wrist movement 
• Fluid retention
• Injury to the wrist
• Hormonal changes
• Age

Resting your hands and wearing a splint on your hand and wrist at night can help relieve symptoms early on when they’re mild. In cases where symptoms are severe and constant, treatment may involve surgery to release the entrapped median nerve. 

Sciatic nerve compression

The sciatic nerve starts in the spine and travels through the buttocks and down the leg. In most cases, entrapment of this nerve happens when the nerve root in the spine gets pinched. A sharp, shooting pain that radiates through the buttocks and leg is the most common symptom. Herniated disks are the most common cause of sciatica. 

Risk factors for sciatica include:

• Sitting for long periods
• Repetitive lower-body movements
• Spinal misalignment
• Injury to the spine
• Degenerative disk disease

Lifestyle changes, medication, and physical therapy can help ease sciatica pain. In severe cases of debilitating sciatic pain, our specialist may recommend surgery to correct the cause. 

Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center is focused on helping patients get better faster. If you’re struggling with symptoms of a pinched nerve, we invite you to schedule an appointment with our highly trained team of specialists. Contact us today.