Neurapraxia

Neurapraxia is an injury to the nerves in your arms and legs (the peripheral nerves). These nerves carry electrical signals (impulses) from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.

Neurapraxia is a low-grade nerve injury, the mildest form. Your nerve stays intact. But the nerve signals can’t get through the injured part of your body. These blocked signals can cause symptoms.

Anyone can get this condition. It may happen after a fall or from a sports injury. “Stinger” and “burner” injuries in sports are usually neurapraxia cases.

What is cervical cord neurapraxia?

Cervical cord neurapraxia is a type of spinal cord injury in your neck. It can cause a temporary loss of movement and/or sensory function in your arms and legs. It most commonly happens during contact sports when your neck (cervical spine) moves in a way that squeezes or stretches your spinal cord. Symptoms can last from 15 minutes to 48 hours.

Cervical cord neurapraxia is a distinct condition because it affects your spinal cord, not peripheral nerves.

Symptoms of neurapraxia

You feel neurapraxia symptoms near the injury site. Symptoms can include:

• Burning or stinging
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Pain
• Pins-and-needles sensation

Some examples of commonly affected nerves and where you feel symptoms include:

• Axillary nerve: In your shoulder, arm and hand
• Brachial plexus: In one arm
• Radial nerve: In your hand — especially your thumb, middle and index fingers — or in the back of your hand
• Sural nerve: In your ankle and foot
• Ulnar nerve: In your hand, especially your ring and pinky fingers

Neurapraxia causes

Damage to the myelin sheath of a peripheral nerve causes neurapraxia. The myelin sheath is a protective cover that wraps around nerve cells.

Neurapraxia typically results from mild stretching or squeezing of a nerve. But a lack of blood flow to the nerve and inflammation can cause it, as well. Examples of injuries and situations that can lead to this condition include:

• A forceful hit to your body, like in a car accident or contact sports
• Bone breaks
• Joint dislocations
• Tears and injuries to ligaments and tendons
• Surgery
• Giving birth
• Dental work

Complications of this condition

Most people with neurapraxia recover fully. But in rare cases, you can develop complications like:

• Long-term inflammation
• Long-term neuropathic pain
• Muscle loss, if incorrectly diagnosed
• Scars in the tissue near the injury site

If scar tissue forms, you may need surgery. Surgeons free your nerve from scar tissue or release nerve compression so it can heal.

How doctors diagnose this condition

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history, including any recent injuries. They’ll do a physical exam to check for nerve damage.

Many conditions can cause similar symptoms to neurapraxia. So, your provider may start with some blood tests to check your:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Thyroid function

Your provider may also recommend imaging scans and nerve and muscle function tests. These tests check nerve damage and the severity of the injury. They may use:

• Electromyogram (EMG)
• CT scan or MRI
• Ultrasound
• X-ray

How is it treated?

Neurapraxia usually heals on its own. To help aid healing, your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Rest, ice, compression and elevation (the RICE method)
• Braces, casts and splints
• Surgery if a fracture or a collection of blood (hematoma) is squeezing the nerve

Your provider may recommend certain medications to help with pain, like:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroids
• Antidepressants

What can I expect if I have this condition?

You can expect to feel some discomfort during healing. Neurapraxia can last for a few days or a few months, depending on the extent of your injury.

Most people recover completely within two to three months. But some people, especially older adults, may take longer to heal.