The 8 possible symptoms of a peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerves are responsible for connecting the central nervous system to the rest of the body. When these nerves are damaged, whether due to injury, disease, or compression, symptoms such as pain, numbness, and loss of motor function may occur.

“When peripheral nerves are damaged, the consequences can be debilitating, affecting a person's mobility, sensitivity, and autonomic functions. Damaged nerves can stop properly transmitting messages to the body, causing significant limitations in daily life,” explains Dr. Carlos Dolz, a specialist in Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery at Hospital El Pilar in Barcelona .

These are the most common symptoms

This expert explains that the nervous system is a complex network that includes, on the one hand, the central nervous system (CNS) (brain and spinal cord) and, on the other, the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which is responsible for transmitting information between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body (muscles, organs, skin, etc.). The peripheral nervous system is divided into two main parts:

• Somatic Nervous System: controls voluntary movements of the body (such as moving an arm) and transmits sensory information (such as touch or pain) to the CNS.
• Autonomic Nervous System: controls involuntary functions of the body, such as breathing, heartbeat, or digestion.

"If you experience symptoms such as muscle weakness, persistent pain, or loss of sensation, it is vital to consult a specialist," adds Dr. Carlos Dolz, an expert in Neuro-Orthopedics, the specialty responsible for treating peripheral nerve injuries and the mobility issues caused by central nervous system injuries.

Thus, depending on which nerves are affected, this traumatologist maintains, symptoms can vary. If the motor nerves are damaged, he says the patient will notice cramps and painful contractions, as well as muscle weakness.

Meanwhile, he states that if the autonomic nerves have been injured, the person will likely experience changes in blood pressure, as well as heat intolerance, gastrointestinal problems, or excessive sweating, which is completely unusual for the patient.

In turn, if the sensory nerves have been damaged, tingling or numbness in the extremities are typical, according to this specialist from El Pilar Hospital , as well as acute pain with temperature changes, as well as balance and coordination problems.

Possible causes of peripheral nerve damage

“Preventing these injuries can be complicated due to their diverse causes. However, it's essential to seek medical attention early if you experience suspicious symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment can make all the difference in recovery,” he asserts.

Dr. Dolz says that the possible causes of these damaged nerves include:

1. Trauma: accidents, falls, and sports injuries such as knife or firearm injuries that stretch, compress, or cut nerves.
2. Systemic diseases: diabetes, Guillain-Barré syndrome, other generalized neurological diseases.
3. Benign or malignant tumors.
4. Nerve compression: such as carpal tunnel syndrome or other tunnel syndromes.

So, how are these peripheral nerve injury diagnoses made? The clinical history, including assessment of symptoms and physical examination, can already guide the patient's pathology. Additional examinations refine the final diagnosis.

Read also Bellvitge removes a pancreatic cancer considered inoperable with a pioneering technique Antoni López Tovar

This specialist maintains that there are several options, such as performing an electromyography (EMG), which measures electrical activity in the muscles; as well as performing a nerve conduction study, which evaluates the speed of electrical signals in the nerves.

Two other options that experts often use, as he points out, are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can be used to observe detailed damage, or ultrasound, which in some cases can identify possible damage to nerve structures.

These injuries can be cured

Finally, Dr. Carlos Dolz, an expert in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries, emphasizes that the treatment that may be undertaken will depend on the severity and possible causes of the peripheral nerve injury.

Among the different options being considered, the following are mentioned:

1. Medical treatment (Anti-inflammatory and antineuritic drugs, and medications to control nerve pain).
2. Rehabilitation therapies (Physical therapy to improve mobility and orthopedic devices or splints to maintain proper posture).
3. Surgery (nerve release in cases of entrapment or compression, microsurgical suturing to reconnect severed nerves, nerve grafts when direct repair is not possible, nerve transfers of nerves from other areas to replace functions considered priority, and palliative surgeries such as tendon or muscle transfers to restore function when direct surgery on the nerves cannot be performed or to complement the result of microsurgical treatment).

It is essential to consult a neuro-orthopedic specialist to make the earliest possible diagnosis and thus establish the appropriate treatment for each patient.