Causes of Pinched Shoulder Nerve

Herniated disk, arthritis, bone spurs, and spinal stenosis are the common causes of pinched shoulder nerve. Spinal stenosis refers to the constriction of the spinal canal through which the nerves and the spine pass. Pinched nerve may also be caused by a swelling around the nerve. The swelling may be caused by injury, bruise and swelling of extremities during pregnancy. Conditions of pinched shoulder nerve can also be hereditary.

Symptoms of Pinched Shoulder Nerve

Common symptoms of pinched shoulder nerve include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness of muscles along the route of the affected nerve. The symptoms may be felt near the pinch area or at a remote location.Pinched C5 nerve root causes pain and numbness in the shoulder and deltoid muscle weakness. Pinched C6nerve root causes pain in the arm and thumb and wrist muscle and biceps weakness. Pinched C7 nerve root causes numbness and pain in the middle finger and the arm. Pinched shoulder nerve root C8 causes painand numbness at the back of the hand.

Diagnosis of Pinched Shoulder Nerve

Diagnosis of pinched shoulder nerve involves identifying the affected nerves. Information required by doctors for diagnosis include the symptoms and where they are felt, patient's medical condition and history, family medical history and work history. Physical examination is carried out in the areas where the symptoms are felt include testing the strength of the patient, sensation and muscle tones. To confirm pinched nerve the doctor may carryout further examination by Myelogram, Electromyogram and Nerve Condition Studies (EMG/NCS), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan or Computerized Tomography (CT) scan. Specific tests are carried out once the affected nerve is identified. These tests include nerve conduction study or electromyography (EMG). Nerve condition study involves stimulation of the nerve with mild electrical impulse and measuring its speed. The electrical activity of a muscle is measured in the EMG test after a small needle is inserted in the muscle and the patient told to contract it. The doctor is then able to confirm the presence and location of pinched shoulder nerve.

Conservative Treatment of Pinched Shoulder Nerve

Doctors initially recommend rest for treatment of pinched shoulder nerves which has proved effective in many cases. The patient must avoid activities that may worsen the symptoms. Most cases pinched nervesheal on their own given time. Ice and heat applications have a relaxing effect on the muscles of the back thereby relieving pain and muscle spasms. Medications available for treatment of pinched nerve include anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, gabapentin (neurontin) and pregablin (Lyrica). Physiotherapy stretches and strengthens specific body muscles with an effect of pressure relief on the pinched shoulder nerve.

Surgery for Pinched Shoulder Nerve

Surgery is only recommended as way of treating pinched shoulder nerve as a last resort when the more conservative measures fail to relieve the symptoms, in life threatening cases and when the condition of the patient is rapidly worsening. In an emergency surgery is performed to remove the herniated disk and relieve the pressure on the affected nerves. The surgery technique employed depends on location of the nerve being pinched. Surgery for the pinched nerve located in along spine is done to remove the herniated disk pressing on the nerve. If a large portion of the disk is removed spinal fusion is carried out to stabilize the spine after the operation and avoid a repeat pinched shoulder nerve.