Have you ever experienced a pin-and-needles sensation in your arms or hands? This type of sensation may actually be caused by spinal problems.
Your spinal cord has millions of subsidiary nerves that control your body’s motor and sensory pulses. When one of these nerves gets impinged, pinched, or receives pressure from the bones, vertebral discs, or tissue, it can become inflamed. This leads to that tingling pins-and-needles sensation, muscle weakness or numbness, and sharp pain. Some patients may also develop secondary issues, such as loss of bowel and bladder control.
Radiculopathy or radiculitis refers to a pinched or inflamed nerve. It can be caused by several reasons:
- Poor posture
- Over usage of limbs
- Age-related degeneration leading to spinal disc compression
- Getting involved in an auto accident
- Work-related or sports injuries that jar or misalign the spinal column. When the vertebrae shifts out of its normal alignment, the gelatinous discs located between the vertebrae become dislodged or bulge outward. This leads to nerve root pressure.
Fortunately, pinched nerve symptoms often resolve on their own after several weeks. However, the pain can reoccur and may get worse if its root cause is not addressed. A root cause could be something like not practicing proper posture or failing to wear proper safety gear while playing sports. Physical therapy, strengthening exercises, surgical treatments, and spine fusion may be prescribed to patients whose symptoms fail to resolve themselves. Surgical approaches may include minimally invasive discectomy, which aims to remove some or all of the problematic intervertebral disc, or spine fusion, which aims to maintain the right amount of space between vertebrae using bone grafts, cages, and screws.
Make sure to contact Spine Center of Texas if you suspect you have a pinched nerve. We can help you identify any underlying spine issues and pinpoint the root cause of your pain. Our spine specialists can deliver optimal care using the latest minimally invasive spine surgical techniques.
