Nerve Pain

Nerve injuries is an all-encompassing term used to describe any traumatic damage to a nerve. Nerve damage can affect muscle function and cause loss of feeling. Nerve injuries can include force, such as a hit while playing sports or during a fall; a laceration in which the nerve is cut; or stretching that puts increased tension on the nerve.

Nerve injuries can be extremely complex, and treatment will vary based on the location and severity. An MRI can be used to evaluate the surrounding soft tissues and the extent of damage from the injury. An Electromyelogram (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) are other very common methods used to show the health of your nerves. A combination of pads and fine needles are used to determine the location of nerve injuries and help your orthopedic physician to determine treatment methods.

Our on-site diagnostics include x-ray and MRI to provide you with a convenient and comfortable evaluation.

Symptoms

Burning, tingling, itching, or abnormal sensations in the skin
Complete numbness in the skin
Decreased function of an extremity or loss of function of certain muscle groups
Abnormal reflexes
Muscle twitching

Causes

Injuries related to force. This may occur while playing sports or during a fall or vehicle accident for example.
Injuries related to cuts. This may result in a nerve being partially or fully cut.
Injuries related to stretching. This may occur when an extremity is hyper-flexed or extended, increasing the tension on a nerve.

Risk Factors

Age – the ability to heal nerves lessens with time
Level of injury – the closer to the spine the injury occurs typically results in more motor and sensory losses and is more difficult to heal

Diagnosis

Physical examination of the affected areas
Electromyelogram and Nerve Conduction Study to assess the condition of the nerves and location of injury
MRI to show soft tissue health and evaluate other related injuries

Treatment Options

Long-term observation. Nerves are slower to heal than other tissues in the body and need more time to recover.
Surgical repair of a cut nerve, often using a microscope
A nerve tube - a small tube made of collagen is surgically inserted into a gap between nerve edges to help the nerve heal through the tube
Nerve grafting, surgical repair of a large gap between nerve edges

Nerve Pain Specialties

All staff were very friendly and professional. Dr. Hyatt was thorough, did not rush through the appointment and answered all of our questions.
The OAL staff is always friendly and polite. Your diagnosis and treatment are explained in great in detail, so you truly understand what is going on. They also go above and beyond with insurance to get things preapproved, I would never go to another place.
I was seen by Dr. Luchetti and he was great! It was easy to make a timely appointment and his tech was fun to chat with while I had the injection in my thumb! Loved the office at Spooky Nook. There was allot of parking and the office was marked well and made finding it easy! I would refer anyone there!
They were wonderful, I was seen right away. I was treated with kindness and compassion from everyone from beginning to end, from check-in, X-ray, check-out.
Excellent experience!! I really feel like I am in great hands!! Thank you!!