3 MOST COMMON NERVE RELATED CONDITIONS
Neuropathic pain can be classified into 3 categories (Finnerup et al., 2016):
- Possible neuropathic pain
- Probable neuropathic pain
- Confirmed neuropathic pain
Watch this clip to know more about how neuropathic pain is classified.
If you want to learn more about this topic, you can watch Colette Ridehalgh's lecture here:
Here are 3 most common nerve related conditions we come across:
1) Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common problem affecting hand function, caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It can result from inflammation and enlargement of the median nerve, inflammation and enlargement of the tendons, thickening of the transverse carpal ligament or by the presence of a mass lesion (for example, a tumor or cyst) within the carpal tunnel or a combination. Regardless of the direct cause, the end result is pressure on the median nerve and dysfunction.1 Prevalence is around 7.8% of
working population (Dale et al., 2013)4
2) Lumbosacral radiculopathy/ Radicular pain
Lumbar radiculopathy refers to any disorder that affects the nerve roots in the spine in the lower (lumbar) back. Resulting nerve pain that radiates down the leg or legs is also called sciatica.2Prevalence is not clear and varies between 9.9 to 25% (Konstantinou et al., 2008) dependent on classification of radiculopathy.4
3) Cervical radiculopathy/radicular pain
Cervical radiculopathy, commonly called a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it branches away from the spinal cord. This may cause pain that radiates into the shoulder and/or arm, as well as muscle weakness and numbness.3 Limited data exists for prevalence. Bouhassira et al. (2008) found 6.9% of french population with neuropathic pain, of these around 29% were with neuropathic neck and arm pain.4
If you want to learn more about this topic, you can watch Colette Ridehalgh's lecture here:
Sources:
1. Lawrence M. Shuer, MD, FAANS , A Neurosurgeon Explains: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome
2. https://www.aapmr.org/about-physiatry/conditions-treatments/musculoskeletal-medicine/lumbar-radiculopathy
3. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/
4. Lecture 'Nerve Related Musculoskeletal Pain’ by Dr Colette Ridehalgh
5. Finnerup, N. B., Haroutounian, S., Kamerman, P., Baron, R., Bennett, D. L. H., Bouhassira, D., Cruccu, G., Freeman, R., Hansson, P., Nurmikko, T., Raja, S. N., Rice, A. S. C., Serra, J., Smith, B. H., Treede, R. D., & Jensen, T. S. (2016). Neuropathic pain: an updated grading system for research and clinical practice. Pain, 157(8), 1599–1606. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000492
