Diseases

Pinched Nerve

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Something that produces or refers to motion. For example, a motor neuron is a nerve... ... Nerve: a bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an... See the entire definition of nerve. Nerve compression: pinching' of a nerve that is due to too much pressure on it.

SYMPTOMS

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include:

numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve
sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward
tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)
muscle weakness in the affected area
frequent feeling that a foot or hand has "fallen asleep"
The problems related to a pinched nerve may be worse when you're sleeping.
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure (compression) is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues.
In some cases, this tissue might be bone or cartilage, such as in the case of a herniated spinal disk that compresses a nerve root. In other cases, muscle or tendons may cause the condition.
In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, a variety of tissues may be responsible for compression of the carpal tunnel's median nerve, including swollen tendon sheaths within the tunnel, enlarged bone that narrows the tunnel, or a thickened and degenerated ligament.

CAUSES

A number of conditions may cause tissue to compress a nerve or nerves, including:
injury
rheumatoid or wrist arthritis
stress from repetitive work
hobbies or sports activities
obesity