The vertebrae form a cage around the spinal cord with a disk separating each vertebra. A nerve root at every level of the vertebrae exits and joins the other joints of the body. If any of the nerve roots are compressed, damaged or ruptured, pain or a loss of sensation can result. Normal degenerative changes due to old age are different from sustained damage due to external pressure. Treatment is long term and can be painful.
Medications
Nerve root damage is usually treated with a combination of steroidal and nonsteroidal pain medications. These can either be oral or be injected into the epidural space in the spinal cord. The pain medications are for short-term pain regulation. For long-term disorders, narcotic medications should not be used.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a part of any nerve damage treatment, as it allows the traction and mobilization of the limbs to be continued while using other modalities to reduce the pain and improve lumbar function.
Surgery
In patients where the compression or damage to the nerve is causing motor weakness, surgery may be necessary, as it would help remove the pressure, enlarge the space or remove the disk that is causing the damage.
Rehabilitation
No matter what form of nerve damage occurs, once the treatment is started, rehabilitation must also take place. Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening the muscles and increasing the mobility of the joints and may include infrared therapy, hydrotherapy and other such treatments.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative treatments, including acupuncture or acupressure, are sometimes used for nerve root damage. The latter is a technique in which finger pressure is used to stimulate nerve endings, whereas the former involves the insertion of fine needles at specific points.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)/Interferential Therapy
EMS/interferential therapy is a treatment that reduces muscle spasms and pain. Nerve root damage pain is controlled and managed through the use of two medium-frequency currents that intersect.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment focuses largely on the spine and the coordination of the muscular system. In patients with nerve damage, chiropractic treatment, largely consisting of "spinal manipulative therapy," may help in alleviating nerve compression/damage and restoring soft tissue mobilization.
Tags: nerve damage, root damage, compression damage, Nerve root, nerve root, pain medications