Nerve compression syndrome

<p>Nerve compression syndrome, or compression neuropathy,  or nerve entrapment syndrome, is a <a href="/facts/Medical_condition/55eeQlGL">medical condition</a> caused by chronic, direct pressure on a <a href="/facts/Peripheral_nervous_system/KjVpVnHU">peripheral</a> <a href="/facts/Nerve/q7GsAfYV">nerve</a>. It is known colloquially as a <i>trapped nerve</i>, though this may also refer to <a href="/facts/Nerve_root/c83yLSXI">nerve root</a> compression (by a <a href="/facts/Spinal_disc_herniation/T4zvLoub">herniated disc</a>, for example). Its symptoms include <a href="/facts/Pain/70E79oUn">pain</a>, <a href="/facts/Paraesthesia/hRBAxluk">tingling</a>, <a href="/facts/Numbness/JLTKX8LX">numbness</a> and <a href="/facts/Muscle_weakness/H5FEnEBF">muscle weakness</a>. The symptoms affect just one particular part of the body, depending on which nerve is affected. The diagnosis is largely clinical and can be confirmed with diagnostic <a href="/facts/Nerve_block/VjQ7XvBE">nerve blocks</a>. Occasionally <a href="/facts/Medical_imaging/pL6JyJEp">imaging</a> and <a href="/facts/Electrophysiology/VPd5VYzm">electrophysiology</a> studies aid in the diagnosis. Timely diagnosis is important as untreated chronic nerve compression may cause permanent damage. A surgical <a href="/facts/Nerve_decompression/KaUxMn0l">nerve decompression</a> can relieve pressure on the nerve but cannot always reverse the physiological changes that occurred before treatment. <a href="/facts/Nerve_injury/1dnoUBzk">Nerve injury</a> by a single episode of <a href="/facts/Physical_trauma/PJ7CbnMQ">physical trauma</a> is in one sense an acute compression neuropathy but is not usually included under this heading, as chronic compression takes a unique pathophysiological course.
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Nerve compression syndrome