Pinched nerves are a common condition that can affect your functionality and leave you in pain. At Advanced Pain Management Specialists, in Baytown, Texas, Jerome Carter, MD, offers innovative treatment options to eliminate pain and help you avoid surgery. Whether you need a nerve block or could benefit from steroid injections, Dr. Carter develops a custom treatment plan to restore your health and mobility. Find out more about treating a pinched nerve by calling the office nearest you today or booking an appointment online.
What is a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve is a common condition that occurs when excess pressure from surrounding tissue is placed on a nerve. This pressure causes dysfunction on the nerve and can affect any part of your body, most commonly in the:
- Neck
- Spine
- Wrist
Continued pressure on the nerves can cause chronic pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected area. You may also experience pain that radiates into other parts of your body.
A pinched nerve can also cause weakness in the affected area and make it difficult for you to move properly.
What causes a pinched nerve?
Excess pressure on a nerve may be simply the result of the natural aging process. As your soft tissues and bones begin to break down over time, you can be more susceptible to persistent pain from a pinched nerve.
You may also develop a pinched nerve because of:
- Injury
- Obesity
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Repetitive stress
In cases where your nerve is pinched for a short period of time, you can recover fully without any permanent damage. However, if your nerve remains under pressure long-term, it can result in permanent nerve damage and related symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
When your nerve isn’t functioning properly, you can experience a variety of symptoms, including pain that persists or arrives with sudden jolts.
Other symptoms that are related to a pinched nerve include:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
These symptoms can affect the areas where the nerve resides and may also radiate into your extremities.
How is a pinched nerve diagnosed?
Dr. Carter reviews your list of symptoms and your medical history to determine the cause of your pain. If they suspect you have a pinched nerve, the doctors may perform additional nerve studies, which send small currents of electricity into the nerve to determine if there’s existing damage.
Imaging tests, including an ultrasound and MRI, can also rule out other conditions and confirm a pinched nerve diagnosis.
What treatments are available for a pinched nerve?
If rest and physical therapy aren’t enough to relieve pressure on your nerve, Dr. Carter may recommend nerve blocks that contain anesthetic medicines. This treatment provides fast pain relief to help you regain your mobility.
Epidural steroid injections can also address pain quickly. These injections contain a combination of anesthetic medicines and steroids, which are effective in reducing inflammation that may put additional pressure on an affected nerve.
Learn more about your treatment options for pinched nerves by calling the office today or using the online booking feature to schedule a consultation.