Neuralgia

Neuralgia, also known as nerve pain or neuropathy, is a form of chronic (lasting three months or longer) pain experienced in one or more damaged nerves. The body’s nervous system is a network of nerves, made up of cells called neurons that transmit sensory (sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell) and motor (movement) signals, or synapses. These signals travel throughout the body, to the brain, and back again. Autonomic nerves handle the body’s involuntary processes such as heart rate and digestion.

The nervous system is divided into two parts. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and coordinates all the information received from other parts of the body. The peripheral nervous system is the remaining network of nerves in the limbs and organs, and this nerve network connects to the central nervous system. Anyone experiencing neuralgia will often endure intense, long-lasting pain, characterized by sudden, sharp pangs or continuous burning pain. The pain results directly from the neurons as the protective myelin sheath degenerates and reveals the axon, or the long fiber in a neuron that conducts outgoing synapses. Once the axon is uncovered, the neuron “misfires,” losing its ability to properly or correctly transmit synapses, resulting in pain at the damaged nerve site, and radiating pain, weakness, numbness, muscle spasms, and tingling to the extremities.

Causes

Chemicals and toxins from drugs or other elements, infections and diseases (diabetes, shingles, Lyme disease, cancer, etc.), nerve compression, inflammation, trauma, and a resulting side effect of surgeries can all contribute to the development of nerve pain.

Neuralgia typically occurs in the peripheral nervous system and therefore many types can develop. Sciatica – or pain, weakness, and numbness in the lower back and legs – is a type of neuralgia that occurs when the sciatic nerve or one of its roots is compressed due to a bulging or herniated disc, or other spinal condition. Occipital neuralgia is a condition that manifests pain at the base of the skull and upper neck, creating severe headaches and pressure behind the eyes.

Symptoms

A myriad of symptoms can develop from neuralgia because of the multiple places in the body it can occur. They generally include numbness or tenderness in the area of the affected nerve with intermittent sharp pain or continuous burning pain. There may be a reduced functionality of a body part and muscle weakness, as well as a reduction in appetite and sleep as a result of severe pain.

Treatments

Medications are often the first line of defense in treating neuralgia. Nerve root blocks are injections of local anesthesia, steroids, or opioids into or near damaged nerves. Treatments have also recently included the use of antidepressant and anti-seizure drugs. If these conservative treatments have not relieved your neuralgia symptoms, contact the orthopedic specialists at Laser Spine Institute. Our minimally invasive procedures involve state-of-the-art endoscopic techniques to help treat back and neck pain. Call us to receive a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.