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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Image showing pinched nerve in spine Pinched nerve due to herniated disk
Image showing pinched nerve in wrist Pinched median nerve

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 be the culprits. 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.

A number of conditions may cause tissue to compress a nerve or nerves. Injury, poor posture, osteoarthritis, stress from repetitive job, hobby or sports activities, and obesity are common contributors to or causes of nerve pressure.

This pressure causes inflammation of the nerve and disrupts the nerve's function. If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, there's typically no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.

Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Sheon RP. Overview of the nerve entrapment syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
  2. NINDS Pinched nerve information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pinchednerve/pinchednerve.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
  3. Rutkove SB. Overview of lower extremity peripheral nerve syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
  4. Nerve compression disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec04/ch042/ch042f.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
  5. Carpal tunnel syndrome fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
  6. Scott KR, et al. Etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
  7. Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00332. Accessed Nov. 13, 2010.
  8. Miller TT, et al. Nerve entrapment syndromes of the elbow, forearm and wrist. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2010;195:585.
  9. Piecyk ML, et al. Neurologic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
  10. Neuropathy (nerve damage). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2010.
  11. Rutkove SB. Overview of upper extremity peripheral nerve syndromes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2010.
DS00879 Jan. 29, 2011

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