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Nerve pain
NEURALGIA OR NEUROPATHIC PAIN
Nerve pain due to compression or constriction can be due to previous traumas or even surgeries
About nerve pain
Nerves branch out from the spinal cord to other parts of your body. These enable messages to travel from your brain to other parts of your body; it's down to this that we're able to run and walk.
The nerves in your back carry messages about sensations and muscle controls to your brain. When these nerves aren't working properly, it causes pain, numbness, pins and needles, increased sensitivity or weakness of muscles in the related part of the body. This is known as nerve root pain and can become debilitating if left untreated.
Need to know
Nerves become trapped when they travel through narrow spaces, which causes pain. This can be due to previous traumas or even surgeries.
Symptoms might include:
- numbness and tingling, anywhere in the body
- weakness in the muscles supplied by the affected nerve
- constant sharp pain or tingling
- your skin is more or less sensitive than usual to touch
An MRI scan is the best way to diagnose nerve damage and shows the internal structure of your body.
The consultant will be able to see whether a nerve has become trapped. Electrophysiology might be useful to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment is usually surgical. The nerve is visualised and the compression removed. At times, the nerve cannot glide and the surgery is aimed at making that possible again.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.