What are Nerve Injuries?
Nerves are the body’s communication system — carrying messages from the brain to the muscles and sending back signals about pain, pressure, and temperature. Because they are delicate structures, nerves can be damaged by pressure, stretching, or cutting.
At OrthoNebraska, we treat a wide variety of nerve injuries, both mild and severe, and work with each patient to restore as much function and comfort as possible.
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How do nerves work?
Nerves act like the body’s “electrical wiring.” Motor nerves control movement by carrying signals between the brain and muscles, while sensory nerves carry information about pain, temperature and pressure back to the brain.
Damage at any level can interfere with signals and result in weakness, pain, or loss of sensation.
What causes nerve injuries?
Nerve injuries often result from pressure or stretching, which may break fibers inside the nerve while leaving the outer layer intact; cuts or tears, which disrupt both the inner and outer layers; and severe trauma, which may destroy the protective roadmap nerves need to heal properly.
When nerves are only stretched or mildly compressed, they may heal over time. More severe injuries, especially those that cut or crush the nerve, often require surgery.
What are the symptoms of nerve injuries?
Symptoms depend on whether sensory nerves, motor nerves or both are affected:
- Sensory nerve injury: numbness, tingling, burning pain or loss of feeling.
- Motor nerve injury: weakness or inability to move the affected muscle.
- Mixed nerve injury: both pain and loss of muscle function.
In severe cases, patients may also develop complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic condition that can cause severe pain and stiffness.
How are nerve injuries diagnosed?
Your doctor will begin with a detailed medical history and physical examination, then may perform diagnostic tests including X-rays, MRI or EMG tests to measure nerve and muscle function.
How are nerve injuries treated without surgery?
Not all nerve injuries require surgery. Minor nerve injuries often recover with time, splinting and physical therapy. Treatment may include regular exams to monitor recovery, therapy to maintain joint flexibility and rebuild strength and splints to keep joints in proper position during healing.
When the outer nerve covering (epineurium) is intact, nerves may regenerate naturally at a rate of about 1 inch per month.
When is surgery needed for nerve injuries?
Surgery may be recommended when:
- The nerve is completely cut or torn
- The protective covering (epineurium) is severely damaged
- Recovery has not occurred with nonsurgical treatment
Surgical options include:
- Direct repair: sewing the protective layer of the nerve back together to guide regrowth
- Nerve grafts: using a donor nerve (from your body or a donor source) to bridge gaps
- Nerve conduits: synthetic tubes that help nerves regrow when small gaps exist
- Nerve transfer: attaching a healthy nerve to an injured one to restore function
- Tendon transfer: rerouting a tendon to replace lost function when nerves cannot be repaired
Recovery often requires months of healing and therapy to retrain both the brain and muscles.
What can recovery from a nerve injury look like?
Recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as age and overall health. Patients may need:
- Ongoing physical therapy to keep joints mobile and prevent stiffness
- Sensory re-education to retrain the brain to recognize sensations
- Protection of numb areas from injury (such as burns or cuts)
Even with optimal care, some nerve injuries can result in partial or permanent dysfunction, but treatment improves outcomes and quality of life.
Treat Nerve Injuries at OrthoNebraska
Do you need help treating nerve injuries in the Omaha area? Every nerve injury is unique, and treatment decisions should be made collaboratively. At OrthoNebraska, you’ll work with your care team to build a plan tailored to your specific needs.
