Compression neuropathy
If a person is experiencing pain in the arm, this may be a symptom of nerve compression (compression). Nerves can be compared to electrical wires that carry electric current to a light bulb; if damaged, the light bulb stops shining. Nerve branches transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain, to the muscles. Damage to the nerve leads to a weakening of muscle function, a decrease or disappearance of reflexes, and loss of sensitivity.
Compression neuropathies are pathologies that occur when a peripheral nerve is compressed in areas caught in a narrow anatomical space. Pathology of the peripheral nervous system leads to disability. Compression syndromes are found in persons engaged in prolonged tension of certain muscle groups. Areas of increased damage to peripheral nerves are those parts of the nerves that pass through the channels or tunnels formed by bones, fascia, ligaments and muscles.
Compression can occur due to increased pressure, tension, curvature, friction, and decreased blood supply. The nerve trunk is damaged by alcoholism and diabetes, and a number of other diseases make it very vulnerable. Nerve dysfunction is expressed by delayed impulse conduction. When diagnosed, swelling of the affected nerve can be detected.
Compression neuropathy is possible in rheumatoid arthritis, since this disease is characterized by inflammation, swelling of the synovial bursae, ligaments and tendon sheaths, provoking compression of the nearby nerve branches. The development of compression neuropathies is caused by various neoplasms, bone fractures, direct damage to the nerve trunks, edema of soft tissues in hypothyroidism, acromegaly. There is an idiopathic form of compression neuropathy with pain manifestations, especially worse at night.
Pain in the wrist and arm that radiates to the shoulder means compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel.
If the disease is detected out of time, then atrophy of the bases of the fingers is possible. More often, the development of the disease is observed in women, in most cases the right hand is affected. The cause may be hypothyroidism, pregnancy complications, impaired protein metabolism, bone marrow disease. The development of pathology is associated with a disease called myxidema, which occurs when there is insufficient intake of thyroid hormones in the blood.
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Physical overload of the hand and forearm, the formation of a significant size of callus after fractures of the wrist bones, tenosynovitis, neuroendocrine disease (acromegaly) are also considered to be diseases causing compression neuropathies.
Symptoms of compression neuropathies are paresthesia in the fingers, decreased sensitivity in the four fingers, except for the thumb, impaired ability to easily remove the little finger, atrophy of the elevations of the fingers (thenar), autonomic disturbances, severe sweating and Raynaud's syndrome.
Compression of the nerve can occur as a result of improper position of the hand during deep sleep, with alcohol intoxication. A hanging hand, weakness of supination, impaired sensitivity, the appearance of paresthesias in the fingers when bending the hand are serious reasons for seeking help from a specialist. Femoral nerve neuropathy affects the ability to flex the hip and extend the lower leg. In such cases, the knee reflex is reduced or its complete absence is observed.
Neuropathy of the superficial nerve of the thigh is detected by the appearance of pain, numbness, tingling sensation along the surface of the thigh in the front and side of it. The symptoms are especially pronounced while walking. A sign of the development of neuropathy of the peroneal nerve is a hanging foot, loss of the ability to flex the foot and toes. Sensory disturbances are detected by probing the lateral surface of the lower leg and the back of the foot. Usually, nerve compression causes rapid weight loss. Such damage to the nerve is possible if a person is accustomed to sitting, squatting with one leg over the other.
How to eliminate the disease?
Usually, the doctor prescribes NSAIDs - ibuprofen, naproxen, diuretics, bandaging with the necessary funds on the canal area. Also, first of all, immobilization is needed in the position of easy extension for about 2-4 weeks.
During the period of therapeutic measures, it is recommended to reduce the load on the hand. To relieve pain, patients are prescribed corticosteroids. If conservative treatment does not give the desired effect and the signs of the disease persist, then the next stage of treatment is surgery.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
