Nerve Compression: What It Is, Symptoms, and Causes

Pain shoots through the arm from the neck to the fingers, or the foot goes numb as if someone stepped on it and won't let go. Many people are familiar with this sensation, and it may be caused by nerve compression. Let's clarify what this means and where the line lies between tolerable and dangerous.

What nerve compression is

Peripheral nerves branch off from the brain and spinal cord and connect them to muscles and organs. They transmit commands from the brain to the body and back — that is how we feel pain, heat, and cold. Peripheral nerves control movement, breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and other functions. When one or more of these nerves are damaged, signals travel incorrectly or not at all. Compression, stretching, pinching, or pressure on a nerve is one form of physical injury that leads to such a disorder. More than one hundred types of peripheral nerve lesions are known.

Why a nerve becomes compressed

The most common cause of peripheral nerve damage overall is diabetes, but mechanical compression occurs for other reasons. Trauma that stretches, squeezes, or presses on a nerve is one cause. Repetitive movements and body positions that put pressure on a nerve also contribute. Other factors include certain diseases, infections, exposure to toxic substances, vitamin B12 deficiency, alcohol, and smoking. Sometimes the cause cannot be identified.

Symptoms of nerve compression

Manifestations depend on which nerve is affected and how severe the damage is. Damage to sensory fibers causes tingling, numbness, or pain, often in the hands and feet; pain even from light touch is possible. If motor fibers are affected, weakness or aching in the muscles, problems with balance and walking, cramps, twitching, and muscle wasting occur. Symptoms range from mild to very pronounced and develop over days as well as over months and years. They rarely threaten life. When autonomic nerves are affected, heartbeat may be too fast or too slow, swallowing difficulties, excessive or insufficient sweating, and urination problems are possible. The affected area may not feel heat, cold, or pain.

• tingling and numbness in the arms or legs;
• pain, sometimes worsening with light touch;
• weakness or aching in the muscles;
• impaired balance and gait;
• cramps and muscle twitching.

How a doctor determines the cause

First, the doctor asks about the medical history and family history and performs an examination. Then they may order blood tests, genetic tests, a study of the electrical activity of nerves and muscles, an assessment of autonomic nerve function, or a nerve or skin biopsy. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging shows what exactly is pressing on the nerve. The doctor also assesses which nerves are involved and what is damaging them.

When to see a doctor urgently

Nerve compression by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103/112 — for a life-threatening condition, severe trauma, or suspected stroke or heart attack.

This material is for reference: it helps to understand what is happening but does not replace a doctor's consultation — the final diagnosis is made by a specialist after an examination.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer