Category: Blog

Nerve pain is unrelenting and all too often, unbearable. When the time comes to take care of the problem at its source, who do you call?

just who is a nerve surgeon?

Simply put, nerve surgeons specialize in the surgical repair of peripheral nerves, but since nerves run throughout every inch of our bodies, there is not one specific type of surgeon or title that aligns precisely with the specialty of nerve surgery. Instead, there are several types of doctors who specialize in nerve repair. These doctors undergo extensive microsurgical training to become experts in their field.

While injured or damaged nerves can certainly cause a large amount of pain, they are very tiny structures and repairing them can require the use of magnification and specialized knowledge of nerve repair techniques.

The most common physicians who perform nerve surgery are:

• plastic reconstructive surgeons
• orthopedic hand surgeons

Additionally, there a select number of other specialists have undergone training for microsurgical nerve repair, such as:

• neurosurgeons
• oral maxillofacial surgeons
• doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs)

Let’s dive in and learn a little bit more about these specialists, and how each—while not necessarily called a “nerve surgeon”—is qualified to treat nerve damage that may be the cause of chronic pain.

plastic reconstructive surgeons

You may be thinking, “Why would I go to a plastic surgeon for help with nerve pain?”

It’s a common misconception that plastic surgeons only perform cosmetic surgery. In fact, plastic surgery is generally broken down into two areas of concentration: cosmetic and reconstructive.

Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgeons often focus on breast augmentation, facelifts, rhinoplasty, etc.

Reconstructive plastic surgeons typically focus on more complex cases that may involve, for example, helping to save a patient’s limb after a traumatic injury or helping to rebuild an area of the face that has been badly damaged.

The word “reconstructive” means “to rebuild after something has been damaged or destroyed,” and these surgeons are trained to reconnect ligaments, muscle tissue and blood vessels to repair damage to a patient’s body. In addition, they often reconstruct and repair nerves.

With extensive microsurgical training, nerve repair is something that reconstructive plastic surgeons perform regularly, especially with patients facing chronic pain caused by a nerve injury.

orthopedic hand surgeons

You may think of an orthopedic surgeon as someone who you see when you break your arm or injure your knee, or when you need a hip replacement. That’s a fair assumption. Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating your musculoskeletal system—your bones, joints, tendons, muscles and ligaments. They are experts at understanding where and how your body fits together.

And they can also specialize in nerve repair.

As doctors who specialize in muscles and nerves, many orthopedic hand surgeons have made nerve repair a primary focus. But don’t let the term “hand surgeon” fool you. The most common location for a nerve injury is the hand, and these surgeons have received extensive training on the intricacies of nerve repair, not just in the hand, but throughout the rest of the body.

neurosurgeons

While the term “neuro” and “nerve” may seem to go hand in hand, many neurosurgeons are mostly focused on the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), rather than the peripheral nervous system (the nerves running all through the body). The function of each is quite different and they serve different purposes.

There are some neurosurgeons who also specialize in working on the peripheral nervous system who are trained to deal with nerves throughout the body.

oral maxillofacial or Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeons

Oral maxillofacial and ENT surgeons focus on the hard and soft tissues in the head, neck, face and jaw. These dental experts can help treat cleft lips, head trauma injuries, and perform reconstructive surgery on head and neck cancer patients.

Some oral maxillofacial and ENT surgeons are also skilled in performing nerve repair on injuries sustained to nerves in the face or jaw. For example, these specialists often work on nerve injuries that can sometimes occur during wisdom tooth extractions or other dental procedures.

foot and ankle surgeons, or doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs)

It is important to recognize that most DPMs focus only on the tendons, bones and ligaments of the foot and ankle, and do not often specialize in nerve repair.

However, there are a small number of DPMs who have undergone microsurgical training to be able to perform nerve surgery in the feet and lower legs.

is there a qualified nerve specialist near me?

Take our quiz to see if you qualify as a candidate for surgical nerve repair. And then use our Find a Surgeon tool to see who might be a good fit for your needs and where they are located.

Not all plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons work with peripheral nerves. However, every doctor suggested through our Find a Surgeon tool—whether ortho, plastic or neuro—has taken specific interest in and developed a passion for helping patients with peripheral nerve injuries.

Car accidents create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the day of the collision. Especially when that pain lingers beyond an expected period of time due to an undiagnosed nerve injury.

When looking for answers to questions about chronic pain after a car accident, it’s natural to head straight to your favorite search engine. But most results populate with options for settlement lawyers, injury lawyers and chiropractic clinics offering assessments—not medical explanations for the source of your pain.

It’s important to understand the injuries sustained and their related symptoms. Meet with your doctor to discuss how you’re feeling after your accident. During your appointment, don’t hold back about your symptoms. Being thorough about what you’re experiencing isn’t complaining, it’s proactive. Be sure to ask about the potential for nerve damage.

sources of nerve damage from a car accident

When a car accident occurs, there are many common injuries and pain that can impact those involved, including nerve damage. But because there isn’t always visible trauma with nerve damage—skin doesn’t have to break for the damage to happen—it’s not always obvious upon first examination.

When pain lingers after proper and immediate medical attention, nerve damage might be the culprit. Nerve damage occurs when nerves are cut, compressed or stretched—all of which can happen as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

Chronic pain and nerve damage may also occur due to a neuroma. A neuroma is a tangled mass of nerve and scar tissue that may form when nerve damage, either from the injury itself or during a corrective surgical procedure, goes unrecognized or isn’t properly repaired.

injuries that can lead to nerve damage

Broken bones and fractures

Nerves travel in close proximity to bones and joints. As a result, broken bones and fractures can often lead to nerve injuries. Sometimes nerves are stretched, cut, bruised or crushed when a bone is fractured, but it may not be recognized immediately.

Lacerations

Abrasions and lacerations are some of the most prevalent injuries sustained during car accidents. Depending on the severity of the laceration, different layers of the skin and muscle are at risk of injury, but a deep cut from broken glass can also lead to a nerve injury. There are many opportunities for lacerations during a car accident. Even if you visited the ER after your accident, it’s possible a nerve injury wasn’t immediately recognized. As many as 91% of nerve injuries are missed in the ER, and these injuries may lead to chronic pain even after the original wound has healed.

signs and symptoms of nerve damage

Peripheral nerve damage typically presents itself in a few ways.

numbness or tingling

A loss of sensation in the extremities or a constant feeling of “pins and needles” could point to nerve damage. This damage can be caused by pinching of the nerve that occurred upon impact and can lead to chronic pain after an accident.

shooting or radiating pain

Irregular, persistent bouts of pain that originate from a particular location could be a sign that nerves were damaged in the accident.

headaches

It’s important to pay close attention to the location and severity of headache pain after a car accident. While it could just be stress-related, it might also be the result of a compressed nerve.

If your injuries do not heal with time or after physical therapy (as most acute injuries should), it might be time to consider that the damage was far greater than simple strains or bruises.

nerve repair is possible

In the past, surgical options for repairing nerves were limited and had variable rates of success in alleviating nerve pain or restoring function. Procedures that only cut the nerve but do not repair it, leave the nerve with the potential to form a future painful neuroma and don’t give you the chance to regain sensation or function.

Thanks to advances in nerve surgery, living with nerve damage and the associated pain isn’t your only option. Many types of peripheral nerve injuries, especially injuries that can be linked to a previous surgery or injury, can likely be treated surgically.

Depending on the specific nerve damage, a nerve surgeon can repair the nerve by either reconnecting the nerve with a nerve graft to allow restoration of normal signals to the brain; isolating the nerve end with a nerve cap to reduce the potential for neuroma formation; or occasionally rerouting the nerves.

If you think you are experiencing chronic pain due to nerve damage from a car accident, you may be a candidate for nerve repair surgery.

 

From car crashes to kitchen accidents, there are many common causes of nerve damage and injury. However, an unexpected cause of nerve damage stems from another type of injury: a bone fracture.

Fractures occur when a bone breaks or splinters due to trauma, overuse or particular diseases that may weaken bones. Much like our skeletal system, the peripheral nerve system runs throughout our body and helps us to function and feel. When one or both systems are damaged, it can be very painful.

when a fracture is more than a fracture

When a bone fractures, there is also risk of damaging the surrounding nerves. In the table below, you can see a collection of common fractures and the corresponding nerves that are at risk of injury, along with signs that nerve damage may have occurred:

Source: https://nerveclinic.co.uk/nerve-injuries/nerve-injury-after-fracture-or-dislocation

fractures don’t discriminate

There are two types of fractures: open and closed.

A closed fracture does not break the skin, whereas an open fracture does. Both types can lead to nerve damage.

Closed fractures “may be complicated by associated peripheral nerve injury. However, because clinical information is limited, determining the best course of treatment is difficult,” according to one study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

The study also found that people with open fractures can experience complications with peripheral nerve injuries. Patients who haven’t fully recovered function or feeling after 3 months should talk to their doctor about the potential of nerve damage.

When either kind of fracture is repaired and the course of action around the nerves is uncertain, the nerves are often left to try to heal on their own. Nerve injuries can also occur during surgery to fix fractures, such as when using pins to hold broken pieces together.

what this means for nerves

When doctors are focused on setting bones, stitching wounds and tending to other traumatic injuries, it’s not always possible to give attention to the more minute details that come with preserving nerve function. Nerve repair is a very niche and complicated area of expertise, and not every surgeon is fully trained on its nuances. So while your ER doctor is focused on your immediate or acute injury, a surgeon who specializes in microsurgery will have more in-depth training to perform nerve surgery.

Without proper treatment, nerves might not heal properly on their own. They could remain compressed, stretched or severed. Damaged nerves can lead to neuromas (a tangle of nerve and scar tissue) as they try to heal themselves.

When this happens, pain caused by nerve damage can linger long after the bone is set and healed. But just because that pain lingers, doesn’t mean there’s no solution for relieving that pain.

what this means for you

Lasting nerve pain doesn’t have to be your normal. Nerve repair surgery is possible.

Depending on the type of damage, a surgeon can repair the nerve by either reconnecting the nerve to allow the restoration of normal signals to the brain, isolating the nerve end to stop it from growing, or rerouting the nerves.

If you think you have nerve injuries and pain resulting from a fracture, nerve repair surgery might be the right choice for you.

If you’re living with chronic pain, it may feel like opioids are the only way to find relief, however brief. Surgical nerve repair is a different approach.

For as long as we’ve been able to, humans have used opioids in some form or another to block pain. In the modern era, these include prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. While the intention is good—stopping the experience of pain—the side effects of opioids pose a large risk: addiction

The risk of addiction increases the more that opioids are used—especially when they are used to manage chronic pain over a long period of time. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Researchers have found that taking opioid medications for more than a few days increases your risk of long-term use, which increases your risk of addiction.”

According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, “Opioids block pain messages sent from the body through the spinal cord to the brain.” When the pain relief wears off, addicted individuals can feel an urgency to find the next available relief and get another break from the constant pain.

Individuals experiencing chronic pain due to nerve damage could avoid prolonged use of pain relievers by considering a surgical option.

treating the source, not the symptoms

If you’ve been experiencing chronic pain after surgery, traumatic injury or amputation that lingers beyond the normal recovery time, it could indicate a nerve injury. Some studies have found that up to 77% of individuals have pain six or more months after experiencing trauma.

Unfortunately, the first course of action for patients with chronic pain is often to manage the symptoms through pain medications, which offer temporary relief but do not fix the source of the pain.

understanding your risk

Addiction is a disease that doesn’t discriminate. This means that anyone could be at risk of becoming addicted to pain killers—through no fault of their own. But individuals experiencing chronic pain have a higher risk than most of misusing their prescriptions with prolonged use. According to the National Institutes of Health, “With an increase in chronic pain, there has been a simultaneous rise in opioid use. This use has been associated with pain relief, but also with an increase in adverse outcomes (e.g., addiction, overdose, insufficient pain relief).”

Because of their addictive quality, it’s important to understand the risk when starting a prescription painkiller. By 2015, roughly 21%–29% of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misused them. And between 8%–12% of people using an opioid for chronic pain developed an opioid use disorder.

These numbers are staggering and emphasize how overwhelming the opioid crisis has become. But for those living with chronic pain due to a nerve injury, there is hope for another option. One that treats the source of the problem.

understanding pain

Pain is different for everyone. Some complain of tingling, numbness or pain all over. Others describe it as “pins and needles,” sharp spasms, a burning sensation, or extreme sensitivity to touch or heat and cold. It may be constant or intermittent.

When nerve damage causes nerve pain, it’s important to understand the options for repairing the source of the pain rather than typical treatments—like opioids—which may only temporarily manage the symptom.

As an alternative to prolonged use of opioids, surgical nerve repair focuses on identifying and repairing the cause of the pain, potentially providing a much more permanent solution.

patient spotlight: Achilles

On the brink of paid medication addiction, Achilles broke the cycle of pain and refills to find a better solution. Learn more.

repairing damaged nerves

Nerves can be injured in more ways than you might think. There are four common types of nerve injury that can sometimes lead to chronic pain:

• Cut or laceration
• Stretching
• Compression
• Neuroma

Nerves need a structure to help guide the regenerating fibers to grow properly. If a nerve is damaged, it may no longer have the proper structure to guide this growth, leading to pain. Depending on your specific nerve damage, your surgeon may be able to repair the nerve with a variety of different techniques.

Surgically repairing a damaged nerve can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life and even help them to live without pain entirely.

could surgical nerve repair help you?

If you’re facing chronic pain after a traumatic injury or a surgical procedure, answer these questions to determine if you’re a candidate, and get connected to a specialist who may be able to help.

 

When you’ve been dealing with ongoing pain, a visit to a peripheral nerve surgeon to determine if nerve damage is causing the pain and options for nerve repair surgery is an important step. It’s normal to have questions about the process. From your first visit to the post-surgery recovery, here’s a guide to everything you need to know.

considering nerve surgery

should I see a surgeon about surgical nerve repair?

If you’re experiencing pain persistent beyond a normal recovery time (3 months or more) after an injury (like a car accident, sports injury or glass or knife cut) or surgery (like an amputation, hip replacement, knee replacement or hernia repair), your pain could be due to a nerve injury. If it is, you may be a good candidate for surgical nerve repair and should see a surgeon. In one study, 70% of surgical nerve repair patients wished they would have been referred for surgery sooner.

In these cases, it’s important to see a nerve surgeon as soon as you can because the earlier you get surgery, the better your chances of restoring function and easing pain to the affected area.

If your symptoms are due to something other than a nerve injury, like diabetic neuropathy, nerve repair surgery is not likely to help.

what kind of questions will a peripheral nerve surgeon ask?

When you first visit a peripheral nerve surgeon, it’s helpful to be prepared for the questions they might ask. The more information you can provide the surgeon, the better they will be able to diagnose your issue and find a potential solution. It may help to write down answers to the following:

• How long have you been experiencing your symptoms?
• What body part or parts are affected?
• Did your symptoms begin after a specific event, injury, surgery (including an amputation or joint replacement) or accident (like a car accident or a serious cut)?
• What methods of controlling the pain have you tried (physical therapy, medication, etc.)?
• What medications are you taking, if any?
• What other specialists have you seen, if any?
• Have you had any other medical tests like an MRI, CT scan, nerve conduction study or X-ray?

what kind of tests will my surgeon have me do?

The types of tests ordered can vary based on your symptoms and the type of nerve damage suspected, but a nerve surgeon might ask you to undergo one or more of the following in addition to an in office exam:

• Ultrasound: A noninvasive test that uses sound waves to generate an image of the nerve.
• MRI/CT: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) exams provide a detailed view of the body in the area where nerve damage is suspected.
• Nerve Conduction Study: This is a study that tests your nerves with an electrical signal to pinpoint problems. Some patients report that it hurts a little, but most say it’s tolerable.
• EMG: An electromyogram (EMG) exam determines how well a motor nerve is working by measuring the electrical activity present in a muscle.

before the surgery

what questions should I ask before surgery?

• What kind of surgery am I having? It’s okay to ask for your surgeon to explain this multiple times to make sure you understand.
• When can I expect to notice improvement or relief after surgery?
• What outcomes can I expect?

how do I know what kind of nerve surgery I need?

Your surgeon will decide what kind of nerve repair may help you. The type of nerve repair will depend on your type of nerve damage.*

repair techniques based on type of nerve damage

• Cut: A cut nerve will require surgical nerve repair to bridge the gap between the two nerve ends and reconnect them, allowing the nerve to regenerate and restore the lost function.
• Compression: Cutting or removing the tissue restricting a compressed nerve allows the nerve to heal and restore normal signal transmission. After releasing the nerve, the surgeon may decide to protect the nerve by placing fat around it, wrapping the nerve with vein tissue or using a nerve protector.
• Stretch: A nerve can be damaged, even if it isn’t cut. The type of nerve repair performed for a stretched nerve will depend on the extent of the damage. This means using methods similar to repairing a nerve cut or a nerve compression.
• Neuroma: If a neuroma is identified as the cause of the pain, your surgeon will first locate and remove the neuroma to get rid of the painful stimulus and stop the pain signals to the brain. Then your surgeon can either repair the nerve by reconnecting it with a nerve graft (autograft or allograft) to allow restoration of normal signals to the brain, isolate the nerve end with a nerve cap to reduce the potential for symptomatic or painful neuroma formation, or in some instances reroute the nerve.

after the surgery

how long will I be in the hospital?

Your surgeon will work with you to determine your needs based on your specific case. However, many nerve repair procedures can be done on an outpatient basis.You may be asked to stay for observation for 24 hours, but in most cases, people are able to go home the same day.

when will I know if the nerve surgery was successful?

Some patients may get immediate relief—it depends on your nerve damage, and how long you’ve had it and how severe it was. However, if your nerve is reconstructed, return of sensation or nerve function takes time and can feel a little strange. You may feel some small zings and zaps as your nerve starts to heal, but that may be good news and a sign that your nerve is starting to work again.

You might notice the following sensations during the first six months after surgery, but they typically go away within 12 months:

• Hot or cold sensations and sensitivity
• Little shocks or zaps
• Aching or tingling feelings

If your pain persists or there is no return of nerve function, you should consult your surgeon.

how can i improve my chances of a positive outcome?

Be an advocate for yourself. Even if another doctor has told you that your chronic pain will get better on its own, or that physical therapy is your only option, you can still reach out to a nerve surgeon for a second opinion.

Do your research, and remember that nerves are delicate and deserve care.

You may want to bring another person, like a partner, family member or friend to any or all of your appointments. Your surgeon will be giving you a lot of information, and many patients find it helpful if another person has heard the same information and can help you remember.

is surgical nerve repair right for me?

*Source: https://www.axogeninc.com/patients/repair-options/

Nerves are like the electrical wires of the body, carrying signals to and from your brain. They allow you to move, feel and touch—but when one is cut or damaged, those signals are interrupted. This can cause pain, numbness, burning or loss of function in the affected body part.

nerve damage after surgery

Chronic post-operative pain is common. If you have pain after surgery that lingers beyond the normal recovery time, you may have a damaged nerve. Significant numbers (10%–40%) of patients experience chronic neuropathic pain after surgery. This is known as surgically induced neuropathic pain (SNPP).

Common signs of nerve damage include:

• Pain (especially tingling or burning sensations or sharp shooting pain)
• Numbness
• Pressure or squeezing sensation
• Weakness
• Hypersensitivity
• Physical changes (such as changes to muscle mass, skin color)
• Decreased motor function

Nerves can be challenging to see during surgery. Their size, anatomy and location can vary from person to person. Sometimes, a surgeon may unintentionally cut, compress or stretch a nerve. This damages the nerve and can lead to chronic pain.

what kinds of surgery can result in nerve damage?

Any surgery, routine or otherwise, can result in nerve damage, but it occurs most often in these types of procedures:

• Joint replacements such as hip or knee replacements
• Thoracotomy: a surgery where the surgeon cuts between the ribs to reach organs in the chest cavity (lungs, for example)
• Hernia repair: a procedure to contain the bulge of a hernia inside the body
• Caesarean section: also known as a C-section, this surgery ensures delivery of a baby through an incision in the birth mother’s abdomen
• Abdominoplasty: a cosmetic surgery to make the abdomen appear thinner and more firm, also known as a “tummy tuck”
• Hysterectomy: the surgical removal of the uterus
• Open reductions and internal fixation (ORIF): a surgery to repair broken bones that requires hardware to ensure the fractured pieces remain connected
• Nerve biopsy: a procedure to remove part of a nerve for sampling in a lab
• Amputation: loss or removal of a body part, such as a hand, leg, etc.
• Mastectomy: a surgical operation to remove one or both breasts
• Laparoscopic or arthroscopic procedures: also known as keyhole surgery, an operation that allows a surgeon to operate by inserting a camera into the abdomen, pelvis or knee through small incisions

what can i do about nerve damage after surgery?

A peripheral nerve surgeon may be able to help. Nerve surgeons specialize in the surgical repair of peripheral nerves, including nerve damage that may have occurred during a previous surgery. These include plastic reconstructive surgeons, orthopedic hand surgeons, neurosurgeons, oral maxillofacial (ear, nose and throat) surgeons, and foot and ankle surgeons (doctors of podiatric medicine). Learn more about the types of nerve surgeons and what they do.

If you’re ready to talk to a doctor about treating your chronic nerve pain, we’ve created a guide to help you locate someone.

nerve damage after hand injury: learn the signs

Hands are the most common site of a nerve injury. From everyday hazards like slicing into your hand with a kitchen knife, to more traumatic accidents like a run-in with a power tool or even a surgical injury, a hand injury can lead to chronic pain, numbness and more.

If you previously went to the ER for a hand injury, you may have a nerve injury without knowing it. As many as 91% of nerve injuries are missed in the ER, and these injuries may lead to chronic pain even after the original wound has healed.

which nerves are part of the hand?

There are three main nerves in the hand. All three branch out from the brachial plexus, the network of nerves that connects your spine to your shoulders, arms and hands. These nerves allow you to both move and touch with your hands.

• Median nerve: The nerve that runs from the shoulder down the front of the forearm to the hands.
• Ulnar nerve: The nerve that begins at the armpit and runs to the hand, responsible for controlling the small muscles of the hand.
• Radial nerve: The nerve that starts at the lower armpit, passing through the channel of bone and muscle at the elbow and extending to the wrist and hand. This nerve helps control the wrists, hands and fingers.

5 common causes of nerve damage from hand injuries

1. The most common cause of nerve damage involves cuts or lacerations to the nerve. This can happen while cutting into an avocado or bagel, slicing your hands on broken glass, or from broken bones, gunshot wounds or accidents involving power tools.
2. A previous hand surgery may also lead to chronic pain. A surgeon may have cut or otherwise injured a nerve, causing numbness, weakness, pain (tingling or burning) or other physical changes. If your symptoms remain past the expected recovery time, you may have a surgically induced nerve injury. Read how one patient, Benjamin, found healing after an arm surgery resulted in chronic pain.
3. Even a cut or wound that seems minor at first may lead to impaired hand function later. When nerves aren’t properly repaired after a surgical accident or other injury, they may form a neuroma, or a tangle of nerve tissue that can cause chronic pain.
4. Another common cause of nerve damage is compression. When too much pressure is placed on the nerve, it can become inflamed. A common example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which can occur from repeated grasping motions, such as at a computer desk or bicycle handlebars. Broken or fractured bones can also cause nerve compression injuries.
5. Stretching is another cause of nerve damage. This happens when the body moves suddenly in a way it doesn’t normally move, such as during a car accident or sports injury. In severe cases, injury to the brachial plexus—the network of nerves that connect your spinal cord to your shoulder, arm and hand—can lead to muscle weakness and pain in your hand. ­­

symptoms of nerve injury to the hand

Common symptoms of a nerve injury to the hand include:

• Pain in the hand—which can be excruciating, shooting pain that may feel like an electric shock
• Tingling, numbness or altered sensation
• Weakness or loss of motor function
• Loss of sensation, including either a full or partial loss of feeling
• Sensitivity to cold or heat
• Loss or decrease in hand function/fine motor skills, such as an inability to grasp things, frequently dropping things, difficulty tying your shoe or buttoning your shirt, etc.
• Inability to move the hand or wrist
• Decreased muscle tone in the hand

what can I do about nerve damage?

An orthopedic hand surgeon or plastic reconstructive surgeon may be able to help repair peripheral nerves by reconstructing the nerve (in the case of a cut) or freeing the nerve from the pressure of the surrounding tissue (in the case of compression injuries). The good news is that studies show positive improvements in quality of life for people who undergo surgery to repair a damaged nerve.

Timing is important when it comes to nerve repair. If you’re experiencing pain and/or numbness for more than six weeks after a hand injury or other previous surgery, you may have a nerve injury. The sooner you seek treatment, the more sensory and motor function you are likely to recover.

If you’re ready to talk to a doctor about treating your chronic nerve pain, we’ve created a guide to help you locate someone.

You may be familiar with the numbness or “pins and needles” feeling from staying seated in one position too long, or from holding your arm at an uncomfortable angle for a period of time. But when this numbness or tingling does not go away quickly, or has no obvious cause, it may be a sign of nerve damage or other medical problems.

causes of numbness

Many cases of numbness and tingling in the arms and hands are a result of a nerve injury or accident. These injuries may make you a candidate for surgical nerve repair to relieve the numbness, pain or other symptoms that affect your quality of life. These injuries could be due to:

• Traumatic event or accident
• Prior surgery
• Prior injury from a fractured or broken bone
• Long-term compression (often due to overuse)

what types of nerve injuries could cause numbness and tingling?

There are seven nerves that control sensation to the hands and arms:

• Axillary nerve injury can cause numbness and weakness in the outer shoulder. This could be due to improper use of crutches or cast placement, a traumatic injury or event (like a car accident), a bone fracture of the upper humerus, a dislocated shoulder, or prior shoulder arthoscropy (surgery to repair joint problems).
• Brachial plexus nerve injury can cause a limp arm, pain and numbness in the shoulder. This could be due to a traumatic accident or injury, or Erb’s palsy (which can occur during childbirth, or due to an accident later in life).
• Musculocutaneous nerve injury can cause pain, tingling or numbness of the outside of the forearm. It can happen due to overusing the biceps, a traumatic injury to the shoulder or arm or surgical injury (usually during surgery on the humerus bone).
• Median nerve injury can cause numbness, pain, tingling or weakness of the forearm, wrist or hand. This could be due to a traumatic injury or entrapment of the nerve near the wrist. This entrapment is called carpal tunnel syndrome and is common among people who use repetitive wrist or hand motions.
• Ulnar nerve injury can cause numbness, pain, tingling or weakness in the hand, inability to move your fingers, and weakness when flexing the hand. Common causes include entrapment of the nerve around the elbow or the palm, an injury such as a glass cut or car accident, or long-term compression (such as from bicycle handlebars or using a computer mouse for long hours).
• Radial nerve injury can cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the wrist, fingers and thumb. This can happen due to entrapment of the nerve (carpal tunnel syndrome), traumatic injury or accident (such as from power tools or a car accident), or breaks in the humerus bone.
• Digital nerve injury can cause numbness, tingling or pain in the fingers. Causes include a cut or laceration to the fingers, or a traumatic injury.

other causes of numbness

Not all cases of numbness and tingling are a result of nerve damage. Chronic loss of sensation in the arms and hands is also called peripheral neuropathy, and its cause could be a wide range of medical conditions. Peripheral neuropathy is different than a nerve injury, and it cannot be fixed with surgical nerve repair.

• Up to 50% of people with diabetes may feel numbness, tingling or pain in their hands, arms, legs and feet. This happens when diabetes damages the blood vessels that support nerves, leading to peripheral neuropathy.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS). Loss of sensation in the arms, legs, face or body is often one of the first symptoms of MS, since the disease causes the immune system to attack the fatty tissue that protects your nerve cells.
• Vitamin deficiency. A vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is a common cause of numb hands and feet; other vitamin deficiencies can also affect nerve function. Your doctor can perform tests to determine which, if any, vitamins you may be lacking.
• People with fibromyalgia, a chronic fatigue disorder, may experience numb hands. Other symptoms of the disorder often include musculoskeletal pain, along with sleep, memory and mood issues.
• Herniated disc. A herniated, slipped or bulged disc is an injury to the tissue that cushions and connects the vertebrae. In some cases, it can cause numbness and/or pain in the hands and shoulders, or the lower body, depending on the location of the injured disc.
• Cancer treatments. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery can lead to hypersensitivitiy (tingling, burning and electrical sensations) and/or hyposensitivity (numbness and muscle weakness). It can occur in up to 40% of cancer patients.

how can i regain feeling in my hands and arms?

Most people experience numb or tingling hands and arms from time to time. But when it affects your quality of life, it’s time to seek help. If you suspect your symptoms are caused by nerve damage, we’ve created a guide to help you locate a doctor who treats nerve problems.

“What brings you in today?”

The pause before answering that question is not uncommon, and it’s rarely easy to answer.

How do we talk when we talk about pain? And how do we talk to others about our pain? More so—how do we talk to our doctors about pain? Making sure that our doctors take our pain seriously is critical as we look to them for guidance on how to improve our pain or eliminate its source.

Is there specific pain terminology we should be using? A secret language about pain that makes it easier to relate? Or are our senses and memories easier to reference when trying to convey the distinct and direct pangs experienced during bouts of chronic pain?

These are the questions that keep us up at night.

Thankfully, there are many pain assessment tools that exist to help patients and doctors talk about experiencing and managing pain. Understanding the common phrases and practices used to quantify and qualify pain will make sure you’re prepared to talk about it when appointment time comes.

the pain scale

Pain is inherently subjective, so finding a common ground for discussing its impact is crucial. There are several different pain scales that your doctor may use. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) was invented by Dr. Ronald Melzack and Dr. Warren Torgerson of McGill University. Derived from the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the NRS-11 is an 11-point scale for patient self-reporting of pain. These 11 points on a spectrum range from zero to 10, with zero denoting no pain and 10 denoting the worst pain imaginable. All points are based on the ability for persons 10 years or older to perform daily activities.

This scale lets doctors and patients speak about pain in a common, simplified language. “On a scale of one to 10, how much does it hurt?” This question becomes much easier to answer and creates a solid starting point for continued conversation about managing and alleviating pain.

 

For children, there’s the addition of the Wong-Baker FACES^® Pain Rating Scale, which adds a visual element to the pain scale and allows children to align their feelings to an expressive face.

Of course, qualifying that pain becomes even more important once you’ve established its quantitative level.

common pain terminology

Is it a sharp pain or a dull pain? Is it burning or tingling? After establishing the level of pain, being able to articulate the kind of pain may help narrow down treatment options or solutions.

Here’s a list of common terms used when talking about pain:

aching biting burning cramping draining dull exhausting gnawing heavy hot piercing pinching

pressure sharp shooting sickening sore splitting stabbing tender throbbing tingling tiring twisting

With the above words as tools you can more easily describe your situation. For example, “It feels sharp and stabbing. It’s like a lightning bolt that pierces quickly without warning.” Or even, “My arm is constantly aching and tender to the touch. It feels like pins and needles that don’t quit.”

Sentences like these provide more context as to the duration of the pain, the sensation and the degree to which the feeling persists. When describing how you feel, make sure you’re also able to communicate:

• How long you’ve had the pain
• Where the pain is located
• When the pain is present—is it constant, or does it come and go?
• What activities aggravate the pain, trigger the pain, or soothe the pain

medical pain terminology

To get even more detailed, you can move beyond the common terms and use more clinical pain terms. Combining a common language of pain with medical terminology will set you up for a successful conversation during appointments. For example, there is more than one type of pain, medically speaking:

• Acute: a sudden onset of pain that usually lasts for a short period of time
• Chronic: a condition that lasts for a long time, it can be constant or intermittent
• Visceral: pain related to the internal organs in the midline of the body
• Somatic: pain that occurs in tissues such as the muscles, skin or joints
• Myofascial: pain and soreness in the muscles
• Breakthrough: pain that occurs suddenly or as a result of a specific activity
• Inflammation: a reaction of tissues to injury or disease; commonly manifests as swelling, redness, heat and pain

There are plenty of other terms used in the universe of pain management. Many are documented in pain management glossaries and online reference materials.

advocating for yourself

Armed with the right tools to talk about pain, you’ll be better equipped to communicate what you are feeling and how it impacts your day-to-day life. Bring in notes and write out any questions you may have ahead of time so you’re ready to ask, listen, and make a plan to move forward toward a pain-free solution.

navigating nerve pain

When you’re ready to talk to a doctor about pain, we may be able to help. If your chronic pain started after a traumatic injury, surgery, or amputation, it could be the result of nerve damage. Take the quiz to see if you’re a potential candidate for surgical nerve repair.

Chronic pain impacts more than just those who experience it firsthand. Taking care of those who experience pain day in and day out is as taxing as it can be rewarding. Living with someone with chronic pain brings new challenges into a household dynamic that can be difficult to navigate.

6 ways to care for someone living with chronic pain

Here are some tips on caring for someone with chronic pain—and caring for yourself along the way.

1. believe them

An important thing you can do for someone living with chronic pain is believe them when they say their pain is real. Chronic pain is an invisible ailment that can be hard to identify in others.

Asking about their pain and working to grasp its impact could help you better relate to what they are going through. We may never know just what chronic pain does to a person—as each experience is unique—but putting in the effort to empathize rather than sympathize could make a difference.

Once you establish that trust, it may be easier for the person in pain to accept your help and support as they navigate through their journey to relief. Advocating for someone with chronic pain is easier when it stems from a place of respect and understanding.

2. address their physical needs

When living with chronic pain, even the smallest tasks can be daunting. It’s important to make sure that the physical spaces where your loved one spends their time are catered to their needs and habits.

Make sure essentials are within reach and at a level where they can be easily accessed. Toiletries, groceries and medications should be stored where no one has to reach too high or bend too low if mobility is a challenge. Come up with a plan for easy organization so that it’s fast for you to find what they need when you’re around, and simple for them to do the same when you’re unavailable.

Often, chronic pain leads to lots of downtime spent in bed. Bedside organizers are helpful for making sure that all needed items are within reach when a person is sequestered to their bedroom. Books, remotes, medication, tissues, eye masks and more can all be kept close to eliminate the need to move around and potentially further agitate a body in pain.

3. consider their barriers

After everything is situated properly on the home front, it’s time to tackle other factors in their environment. Do they live close to their doctors, their physical therapists, their pharmacy or grocery store? Are they able to drive or work?

Whether it’s food delivery, meal-prep kits or mail-order medication, figure out a way to ease barriers to getting things done. It may be helpful to identify days that you can run errands for them or help them schedule doctor appointments for days when they need someone to take them to and from hospitals or clinics.

4. advocate for their best interests

Doctor appointments can be overwhelming for anyone, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the moment. When that happens, a person may forget to ask questions or leave the office feeling like they don’t understand all their options.

When it comes to caring for someone you’re close to, offer to attend their appointments with them. Take notes. Ask questions. Make sure that their pain is taken seriously, and not dismissed.

Partner with your loved one to research potential solutions or identify opportunities to meet with new and emerging care teams.

5. manage financial expectations

Chronic pain may lead to a significant financial burden for those who experience it. As a caretaker, it may be helpful to work with your loved one to comprehend their medical bills if they have questions or see if there is some other way you can support them as they navigate their financial needs.

Insurance can be tricky, especially when lots of specialists are involved. If your loved one needs help, most providers can connect you with financial counselors who specialize in medical expenses.

Try to plan ahead so nothing takes you by surprise.

6. focus on emotional needs

It’s good for both you and the person you care for to maintain connection with the outside world. Those living with chronic pain may have a desire to hide away from friends and loved ones in an effort to not let their pain impact the lives of others. There is a strong correlation between chronic pain and mental health disorders. Help them to see how important they are to you—and how important it is to maintain a positive outlook while facing troubles caused by poor physical health.

Continue to invite them to things, continue to include them. Small gestures like an invitation are a great way to let them know they are cared for.

Try not to lose sight of yourself as a person outside of the caregiver role. Make sure that you are taking time for yourself to do the things that bring you joy. You’re best suited to help others when you help yourself first.

chronic pain isn’t one size fits all

Sometimes, chronic pain is caused by nerve damage. This type of chronic pain may be repairable. To learn more about nerve pain, check out our nerve pain 101 page.

Could your loved one’s chronic pain be the result of nerve damage? Take the quiz with them to see if they’re a potential candidate for nerve repair.

Take the quiz

 

Resources:

• https://www.neuromodulation.abbott/us/en/caregivers/becoming-caregiver/chronic-pain.html
• https://training.mmlearn.org/blog/caring-for-someone-with-chronic-pain-tips-for-elder-caregivers
• https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/patient/treatments/mental-and-emotional-therapy/6-ways-be-friend-friend-living-chronic-pain
• https://www.bonejoint.net/blog/how-can-i-support-a-family-member-who-suffers-from-chronic-pain/
• https://www.southsidepainspecialists.com/supporting-the-ones-you-love-who-have-chronic-pain/
• https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/caring-for-someone-with-chronic-pain
• https://www.pathways.health/how-you-can-help-your-loved-one-with-chronic-pain/
• https://www.neurosurg.org/articles/taking-care-of-a-person-suffering-from-chronic-pain