Causes of a Pinched Nerve

Written by The Barricaid Team | Apr 18, 2022 1:00:00 PM

The human spine houses an assortment of nerves that branch off to other parts of the body. Pain and discomfort related to one or more of these nerves can be caused by a single source of compression, and the resulting symptoms can range from mildly annoying to nearly debilitating. This article will discuss some of the possible causes of a pinched nerve and what can be done if you have this issue.

What Is a “Pinched” Nerve?

A "pinched" nerve is one that's compressed or irritated by nearby tissues or structures. While a pinched nerve can occur anywhere in the body, nerves in the spine, particularly the sciatic nerve, are most commonly affected. Because of the way nerve signals travel, the resulting discomfort is often felt somewhere along the nerve's pathway. For this reason, symptoms may not occur at the site of the actual source of the problem.

Common Causes & Risk Factors

A herniated disc (sometimes referred to as a “ruptured” or “bulging” disc) is one of the more common causes of a pinched nerve. Other possible reasons for a compressed nerve include bone abnormalities known as bone spurs and inflammation caused by strained muscles or swollen soft tissues near the spine. A pinched nerve can also be related to:

• Arthritis—an inflammatory condition that can affect bones and joints in any part of the body
• Injuries or sudden trauma
• Stress from repetitive motions
• Poor posture that places too much stress on certain areas

Some risk factors can also contribute to nerve compression. In addition to excess weight, these include lack of regular activity or prolonged rest, diabetes and other underlying health issues, and, in some instances, pregnancy.

Signs You May Have a Pinched Nerve

The extent of the symptoms related to a pinched nerve can vary. Some people may only notice pain when sitting or making certain movements. Other individuals have more consistent and disruptive discomfort. Signs and symptoms often associated with nerve compression include:

• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Localized pain that sometimes travels along the nerve’s pathway
• Radiating discomfort felt in nearby areas such as the hips, legs, and feet

Muscle weakness within the affected area

Diagnosis & Treatment

Because symptoms can occur away from the source, it can be difficult to pinpoint the affected nerve. Making a positive diagnosis of nerve-based pain may involve a discussion of the nature of symptoms, image diagnostics, and specialized tests such as nerve conduction studies. Diagnostic injections may also be used to confirm the suspected nerve is the source of the symptoms. Treatment for a pinched nerve may depend on the source of the compression. If a herniated disc is the source, treatment may involve:

• Patient-specific recommendations, such as improving posture
• Therapeutic injections
• A customized physical therapy routine
• Medication that reduces inflammation
• Surgery if other treatments aren't relieving discomfort

If your pain is severe and long-lasting, surgery may be discussed and potentially recommended. For example, if you have a pinched nerve due to a herniated disc that isn't responding to conservative treatment, a discectomy may be the best option. Although this is generally a very successful procedure, patients with a large hole in the outer ring of the disc have a significantly higher risk of reherniation following surgery. Often, the surgeon won’t know the size of the hole until beginning surgery, and having a large hole in the outer ring of the disc more than doubles the risk of needing another operation. A new treatment, Barricaid, is a bone-anchored device that closes this hole, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients didn’t undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and doesn’t require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.

If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-288-7474.

For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.

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