Peripheral Nerve Injury Symptoms

A peripheral nerve injury, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a condition where some level of damage is sustained to nerves within the peripheral nervous system. It often affects the nerves involved with the sense of touch, but those responsible for the control or function of the muscles and organs of the body are also susceptible to this disorder. If you were to suffer an injury to a peripheral nerve, it's usually due to a direct trauma, yet people have also developed neuropathy from autoimmune disorders, diabetes and kidney disease. Even the abuse of alcohol can lead to nerve damage. No matter the reason, nerve injuries to this peripheral system can prompt some very troubling symptoms.

Pain

• Pain is one of the most common symptoms of a peripheral nerve injury. This pain can be fairly subtle, manifesting as more of a prickling discomfort, or it can be quite pronounced, causing a sharp, stabbing pain. Usually, it is first felt within either the fingers or the toes and then diffuses up into the hands or feet, respectively. Later, it can continue to spread, moving into either the arms or the legs.

Numbness

• It is also quite common for pain to be accompanied by a certain amount of numbness. Often following the same line of progression, this numbness is either felt with the hands or feet and then later spreading up into the arms or legs. Most of the time, this symptom starts out subtly and increasingly worsens over time. In some situations, a sensation of "pins and needles" is associated with this lack of feeling.

Sensitivity

• Sometimes, a peripheral nerve injury doesn't cause pain or numbness at all. Instead, the affected areas of the skin become increasingly sensitive. This can prompt pain or discomfort from the lightest touch. It can also make wearing clothing along these areas of the body difficult, especially anything that is somewhat tight.

Weakness

• When the injury affects any peripheral nerves that control muscles, you may begin to notice a decrease in strength. This can make it difficult to move those areas of the body affected by the injury, prompting a lack of coordination or balance. Sometimes, the injury is so severe that it causes paralysis.

Incontinence & Constipation

• Incontinence can also be another symptom of a peripheral nerve injury, namely when the autonomic nerves are affected by the condition. And much like any other symptom, the level of incontinence is dependent on the severity of injury, causing a loss of either bowel or bladder control to some degree. For others, the reverse may happen, prompting constipation or urinary hesitation.

Dizziness

• When the peripheral nerve injury affects blood vessels, it can impede the way in which they expand and contract, causing a change in blood pressure. This can prompt some dizziness, lightheadedness or even the sensation of vertigo. In some situations, it may even cause you to lose consciousness.