After an injury, you may experience nerve pain due to nerve injuries or entrapments, which can significantly impact your daily life. Nerve disorders often present with numbness, tingling, weakness, or persistent pain in various areas of the body. Understanding the underlying cause is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Nerve Pain

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a sudden head injury that disrupts normal brain function. In addition to cognitive and emotional impairments, TBI can contribute to nerve-related pain syndromes due to damage to brain pathways that control sensation and pain processing. Click here to learn more about TBI.

Post-Traumatic Headaches and Occipital Nerve Entrapment

If you have a persistent post-traumatic headache that does not respond to typical headache medications, the underlying cause may be occipital nerve entrapment. This occurs when the occipital nerve becomes compressed at the back of the head near the occipito-nuchal line, where the neck muscles attach to the skull. This condition can cause chronic headaches, scalp tenderness, and radiating pain in the back of the head.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when nerves and blood vessels are compressed as they pass between the neck and shoulder. This often happens after whiplash injuries, such as those sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain and numbness in the arm, shoulder, and neck
  • Tingling and weakness in the fingers
  • Circulatory issues such as coldness or discoloration in the affected arm
Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that control movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this area can result in severe pain, numbness, or weakness. In the most severe cases, nerves can be stretched, compressed, or even torn away from the spinal cord, leading to significant impairment.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Radiculopathy

Spinal cord injuries can affect any part of the spine, from the cervical (neck) region to the lumbar (lower back) region. A common condition resulting from spinal injuries is radiculopathy, which occurs when spinal nerve roots are compressed or damaged. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the injury:

  • Cervical radiculopathy (neck) → Pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand
  • Lumbar radiculopathy (lower back) → Pain, tingling, or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and legs
Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, typically due to a herniated disc or spinal injury. Symptoms include:

  • Sharp pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg
  • Pain typically affects one side of the body
  • Worsens with prolonged sitting or standing

 

Piriformis Syndrome

If you experience deep pain in the buttocks along with numbness and tingling down the leg, similar to sciatica, you may have Piriformis Syndrome. This occurs when the piriformis muscle in the buttocks compresses the sciatic nerve, leading to:

  • Pain that worsens while sitting
  • Radiating discomfort along the back of the leg into the foot
  • Muscle tightness and spasms
Pudendal Nerve Entrapment

Pudendal nerve entrapment can cause chronic pelvic pain, numbness, or tingling in the genital and perineal area. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain while sitting
  • Sexual dysfunction or genital numbness
  • Burning or stabbing pain in the pelvic region
  • Pain that worsens with movement or prolonged sitting
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you experience numbness, tingling, and pain in your hand and fingers, particularly in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, you may have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist, leading to:

  • Weak grip strength
  • Difficulty holding objects
  • Worsening symptoms at night or with repetitive hand movements