Peripheral Nerve Injury and Recovery

Peripheral Nerve Injury and Recovery

A whopping twenty million Americans suffer from peripheral nerve injuries. Each year, nerve injuries result in an estimated $150 billion in healthcare costs in the United States. But what causes peripheral nerve injury, and how is this condition treated? If you’re suffering from nerve pain symptoms and are hoping to learn more about peripheral nerve injury and recovery, our Texas pain specialists at the San Antonio offices of Dr. Raul Martinez are here to help. Read on to learn about peripheral nerve injury, leg pain relief, arm pain relief, nerve pain treatment, and more.

What Are Peripheral Nerves?

Peripheral nerves serve as the links between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. These nerves are fragile, which means they are easily injured.

What Are the Symptoms of Peripheral Nerve Injury?

Some symptoms of peripheral nerve injury include:

• Severe pain
• Burning sensation
• Tingling
• Loss of sensation

These symptoms will be located in the part of the body containing the affected nerve.

What Causes Peripheral Nerve Injury?

Peripheral nerve injuries can be mild or severe, and can be caused in a variety of different ways. Stretching or even pressing too hard on a nerve can cause peripheral nerve injury. Trauma to the nerves—caused by car accidents, sports injuries, gunshot wounds, and more—can damage, cut, or crush the nerves, resulting in injury. Peripheral nerve injury can also be caused by a wide variety of health conditions that affect the peripheral nerves, including diabetes and Guillain-Barre syndrome.

How is Peripheral Nerve Injury Treated?

Once peripheral nerve injuries have been diagnosed (through imaging techniques, electrical conduction tests, or both), your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan for your peripheral nerve injury.

Treatment for peripheral nerve injuries will depend on the severity and type of injury. It’s important to note that some nerve injuries are more easily treated than others. Injuries in which either the nerve fibers or insulation (but not both) are damaged are more likely to heal properly than injuries where the nerve is completely severed, or where both fibers and insulation are damaged. In cases of severe injury, a full recovery is not always possible.

Treatments that may help restore function to affected muscles after a nerve injury include: 

• Braces or splints
• Physical or occupational therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Exercise
• Surgery 

Treatments for milder nerve injuries may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Medications
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy

Suffering From Peripheral Nerve Injury? Seek Treatment Now

If you’ve injured a nerve, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. In many cases, early diagnosis and intervention can prevent further complications from arising, and may also prevent permanent injury to the nerve.

Our Texas pain specialists at the San Antonio offices of Dr. Raul Martinez are experts in diagnosing and treating peripheral nerve injuries. If you’ve been hurt in an accident or have suffered nerve damage as the result of an illness, you need to seek treatment to prevent further injury or complications. Our team will assess the cause and extent of your nerve injury and will create a treatment plan based on your individual needs. Whether you’re in search of arm pain relief, leg pain relief, or another form of nerve pain treatment for peripheral nerve injury, we can help you get your symptoms under control so you can heal faster.

Our physicians specialize in both surgical and non-surgical treatments, and we will tailor your treatment plan to your unique needs. To schedule an appointment with one of our qualified and compassionate physicians, fill out our patient forms or give us a call today.