If your physician at our Dr. Phillips Pain Clinic thinks that you have pinched nerves, you might have to get some tests done. Some of these tests may include the following examinations:
- Nerve Conduction Study: This exam measures impulses in your nerves, as well as muscle and nerve functioning. The pain management doctor will do this by placing electrodes on your skin. The study will measure the impulses that take place in your nerve signals when currents pass through your nerves. The results will reveal whether or not you have a damaged nerve.
- Electromyography: Electromyography, or an EMG, takes place when your physician puts an electrode through your skin into your muscle. The exam will tell the doctor about your muscles’ electrical activity when they both contract and are resting. The results will reveal whether of any damage was done to your nerves that lead to your muscles.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Magnetic resonance imaging, or an MRI, uses radio waves and a magnetic field to give your doctors at Dr. Phillips Pain Clinic a view of your body in different types of planes. Your physician may perform this test if they suspect that you suffer from nerve root compression.
- Ultrasounds: An ultrasound will take sound waves and make images of your body. This test could get used to diagnose nerve compression ailments such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treating Pinched Nerves
The best treatment for a pinched nerve is resting the affected area. At this time, your pain doctor will ask you to stop all activities that trigger the compression. Some people might need a brace or splint to immobilize the injury. If you’re dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Kalia at the Dr. Phillips Pain Clinic might tell you to wear a splint all day because your wrists will flex all throughout your sleep routine.
The Role Of Physical Therapy in the Treatment of a Pinched Nerve
Physical therapists can show you exercises that could stretch and strengthen the muscles in the area of the injury so that pressure on the affected area is relieved. The physical therapist may also teach you ways to modify activities that may aggravate the compression.
Medications For a Pinched Nerve
Anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve, Advil, or Motrin IB can help with the pain that often comes with a pinched nerve. Under certain circumstances, corticosteroid injections can also help a person deal with the inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid injections can be administered through injection or the mouth.
Surgery for a Pinched Nerve
If your pinched nerves don’t improve after a few weeks to a few months of conservative treatments your pain management doctor might recommend that you get surgery to get the pressure taken off of the affected nerve. The actual surgery that you might undergo will largely depend on the location of the pinched nerve.
In the surgery, a doctor could remove a bone spur or a portion of a herniated disk in your spine. Or they could sever a ligament so that the nerve has more room to pass throughout your wrist.
Contact Dr. Kalia at Innovative Pain Solutions today to obtain quick and effective pain management treatment. Call us now! 407-284-1993 or visit our website at Orlandopainsolutions.com.
