What is Nerve Compression?

Each nerve in the body is involved in the control of anatomical and physiological functions in various regions and the perception of sensations in these regions. When any entrapment occurs in the nerves showing these functions on the skin surface and musculoskeletal system, abnormal electrical responses may occur instead of normal nerve functions.

Nerve compression is defined as the exposure of a nerve to a level of pressure that impairs its functions due to surrounding tissue elements such as muscle. This compression state can directly affect the nerves coming out of the spinal cord, as well as affect the nerve parts in the limbs, causing complaints such as pain, tingling, loss of sensation, numbness and weakness.

Arthritis (joint inflammation) and trauma are the main causes of nerve compression. Although nerve compression is usually a temporary condition, care should be taken as it may have a more severe course in some people.

What Are the Symptoms of Nerve Compression?

Burning sensation in the affected area Tingling condition that can be felt like a mild electric shock Pain that spreads from the pinched nerve to the surrounding area.

What are the Treatment Methods for Nerve Compression?

Nerve compression treatment is basically divided into 2 main groups as surgical and non-surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment methods are drug therapy, lifestyle changes and physical therapy applications.

Avoiding the movement that triggers pain, providing ergonomic working conditions at home and workplace, or choosing jobs with different job descriptions instead of jobs that worsen complaints are among the lifestyle changes that can be made to control nerve compression.

Reducing body weight in nerve compression caused by reasons such as obesity may contribute to the improvement of complaints. Physical therapy applications aim to increase flexibility, strength and range of motion in the affected area of ​​the patient.

With these applications, symptoms such as pain and numbness can also be improved. In some cases of nerve compression in the limbs, splint applications can be beneficial in order to prevent compulsive movements that will be made unconsciously while asleep at night.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroid-derived drugs are among the drugs prescribed by physicians for people with nerve compression. These drugs help reduce edema in the area where the nerve is compressed and suppress inflammation.

In advanced cases where no results can be obtained from non-surgical treatment, various regional relaxing surgeries can be applied. In these surgeries, the affected nerve and the affected point are determined, and some of the connective tissue or soft tissue in this area can be removed to reduce the pressure on the nerve.