While a nerve may be pinched in a specific place and cause symptoms there, it also has the potential to send pain signals to other areas of the body. Pinched nerves can really happen anywhere, but they most commonly occur in the spine. And the pain from pinched nerves in the spine can travel throughout the body.
A pinched nerve generally affects only one side of the body. Its effects can range from mild to severe. You can, however, have more than one pinched nerve, which could cause symptoms in several locations.
Your aching back, stiff neck or arm and leg pain might be courtesy of a pinched nerve. Nerves in your spine and other parts of your body can be compressed by surrounding tissue, causing pain, numbness and tingling.
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. This pressure can cause pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.
The radial nerve is part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system sends signals from your brain to your arms and fingers, lower limbs, skin and internal organs.
Vertebral subluxations, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and frozen shoulder are the most common causes of pain. It has also been shown that arm and leg pain is often caused by “referred pain,” where pain in one area moves to another part of the body.
Your peripheral nervous system connects the nerves from your brain and spinal cord, or central nervous system, to the rest of your body. This includes your: arms and hands. legs and feet.
Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and/or arm, as well as muscle weakness and numbness.
Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy might include: Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms. Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain. Extreme sensitivity to touch.
Pinched nerves usually get better in three to four days. However, if home care doesn't seem to help, you may need to see a medical expert. If the pressure on the nerve isn't relieved in a short amount of time, the nerve damage may become permanent, causing chronic pain and muscle weakness.
MRI scans which show soft tissues, such as nerves and discs, are generally preferred over CT scans which show bony elements. Advanced imaging can show exactly which nerve or nerves are being pinched and what is causing the nerve to be pinched.
The most frequently recommended treatment for a pinched nerve is rest for the affected area. Your doctor will ask you to stop any activities that cause or aggravate the compression. Depending on the location of the pinched nerve, you may need a splint, collar or brace to immobilize the area.
If your symptoms last for more than a few days, contact your doctor. Connect with your care provider sooner if you have pain that lasts more than a couple of days or is getting worse, or if you're noticing weakness. Those signs could point to a more severe pinched nerve.
While many cases of pinched nerve will resolve on their own with or without treatment, you should see your doctor if symptoms last for several days. You should also see a doctor if your pain doesn't respond to self-care measures, such as rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.
A pinched nerve from either a herniated disc or a bone spur rarely affects the legs. Cervical myelopathy can affect both the arms and the legs.
While a nerve may be pinched in a specific place and cause symptoms there, it also has the potential to send pain signals to other areas of the body. Pinched nerves can really happen anywhere, but they most commonly occur in the spine. And the pain from pinched nerves in the spine can travel throughout the body.
Ongoing numbness, tingling or weakness could mean a spinal compression in your neck. If you commonly experience a sensation of numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, there is a chance that issue may trace back to your neck. Spinal cord compression is more common as we age.
Weakness in legs
If your sciatic nerve or other nerves in your legs are pinched, it can interfere with those signals. As a result, you might feel weakness in your legs or you might have difficulty performing certain movements (even walking).
The pain may radiate to other parts of your body if you ignore the symptoms. Scarring and swelling caused by a pinched nerve will cause the pain to spread outward.
Nerve pain is stabbing, tingling, and sharp while muscle pain is dull and steady or crampy and spasmodic. Treatment of both types of pain depends on the underlying cause.
Pinched Nerve Pain is Usually Short-Lived
In most cases, symptoms improve and nerve function resumes to normal within 6 to 12 weeks of conservative treatment. Conservative treatment options include physical therapy, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen.
The less obvious reasons for arm and leg pain patterns can range from peripheral artery disease and diabetic neuropathy to sciatica and common electrolyte imbalances. Sometimes pain in the arms and legs could be caused by “referred pain” or pain that moves from one area of the body to another.
Nerve pain is typically described as sharp, shooting, electric-like, or searing pain. It may also produce a sensation of hot or warm water running down the thigh and/or leg. In some individuals, a dull ache may occur. The pain may be intermittent or constant.
This is commonly associated with leg pain and/or back pain. Disorders of the brain and spinal cord also commonly cause numbness and tingling. Problems in the cervical spine can result in symmetrical arm and leg numbness and possible paralysis of the arms and legs. Thoracic (mid back) problems affect the trunk and legs.