Neurologist Questions Neurology

Can nerve damage in the back be treated without surgery?

I have nerve damage in my back. Can nerve damage in the back be treated without surgery?

4 Answers

Steroid injections can treat back pain as well as to diagnose the nerves involved.
Nerve damage and Nerve compression are 2 different things A true Nerve damage: in a true sense is due to possibly from crushed injury from accident etc. Nerve compression due to disc herniation, etc can be retired by surgery Usually an EMG, a study can show how significantly a nerve is affected. Its a reasonable study ( painful study) worth getting before a surgery
Good morning. It really depends on what nerve damage you have. Sometimes it can be treated without surgery.
Nerve damage in the back can generally be treated non-surgically, however, it is influenced by a variety of factors. The exact treatment will depend on the type of injury and its location in the body. The most important action is to narrow down to the source of the nerve damage. The most common sources of nerve damage are compression due to herniated discs, tumors, existing injuries, infections, and diseases such as diabetes or lupus. While mild cases might resolve on their own over time without treatment, it is vital to have an accurate diagnosis so that any more severe problems are not overlooked.

Minimizing stress on damaged areas of your body can be helpful until you can see a doctor about getting treatment. In many cases of minor nerve damage, your doctor might recommend physical therapy once the inflammation has decreased, which usually takes about six weeks. Staying off of your feet and limiting the amount of time you spend sitting, standing, or lifting heavy objects can help to speed up your recovery. A good chiropractor should provide relief by manipulating tender spots in your spine that may be causing pain. It is important to remember that you should never attempt to alleviate the pain on your own because you could do more harm than good.

Other non-surgical treatments for minor nerve damage in the back include targeted physical restorative treatments and medications to relieve pain. Your doctor may prescribe you anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen in combination with physical therapy. Doctors may use medications like Neurontin (gabapentin) or Lyrica (pregabalin) in some instances. These medications are what we call neuromodulators, and they stop nerve pain from spreading in certain conditions. They are not a permanent cure, but they help control pain enough so that it does not bother you all of the time. Unfortunately, they are not always beneficial because these medicines have several adverse effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth when used for a long time. If these treatments do not work for your specific case of nerve damage, spinal injections might be another option that is considered. These shots relieve pressure on the nerve by reducing inflammation in the area surrounding it.

How well you recover from any treatment is primarily determined by its cause and how long it took to discover and treat the source of the nerve damage. Surgery may be necessary depending on the source of the injury and its severity. For example, if you have compressed or pinched nerves in your neck, sometimes referred to as cervical radiculopathy, the nerve damage may be so severe that it requires surgical treatment. Your doctor might recommend surgery to cleanly remove any trapped bone or tissue around the nerve in question.

If you've had persistent back discomfort for more than a week, it's worth considering seeing a doctor. Back discomfort is generally the result of a minor muscle strain possibly caused by improperly lifting things, though It might, however, signal more serious problems such as muscular spasms, disc herniation, or other issues that necessitate immediate medical attention. Don't allow extended pain for long; the longer you wait to treat your back pain, the more damage it may cause. You may be able to prevent further nerve damage or total loss of function by receiving prompt treatment for your condition. Consult your doctor before trying any new treatments that he or she can help you with.