Pinched Nerve Specialist
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Premier Spine Institute
Bonaventure Ngu, MD
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon located in The Woodlands, TX & Humble, TX
If you have a pinched nerve, you may be incapacitated with pain that radiates through your back or legs. You can get help from Dr. Bonaventure Ngu, a leading orthopaedic spine surgeon, pinched-nerve specialist, and medical director of Premier Spine Institute in The Woodlands and Humble, Texas. If you need relief from a pinched nerve and you live in the Houston-Woodlands area, call Dr. Ngu’s dedicated team members or use the online booking form to set up a consultation.
Pinched Nerve Q&A
What is a pinched nerve?
The term “pinched nerve” is a casual way of referring to a condition in which one or more of your peripheral nerves have been injured by being pressed, constricted, or stretched. Peripheral nerves originate in your brain, travel down your spinal column, and branch out to convey sensation and movement to your muscles and skin.
Your peripheral nerves can be damaged by surrounding structures that have moved out of alignment or have become swollen due to injury or disease. When a peripheral nerve is compressed, the signals it usually sends to your muscles and other tissues are dulled or blocked.
Common conditions that compress or pinch a nerve include:
- Herniated disc
- Swollen muscles, tendons, or ligaments
- Enlarged bone or bone spurs
- Scar tissue
- Loose bodies, such as pieces of free-floating bone
Anything that increases pressure on your nerves and surrounding tissues, such as being overweight or pregnant, could also cause or worsen a pinched nerve. Other activities and conditions that lead to pinched nerves include:
- Arthritis
- Repetitive motions and overuse
- Prolonged sitting or bed rest
- Injury
- Diabetes
What are the symptoms of a pinched nerve?
If you have a pinched nerve in your back, you may experience pain and decreased mobility. The most common symptoms of a pinched nerve include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Radiating pain, such as sciatica
- Weakness
- Pain that worsens when moving
How do orthopaedic spine surgeons treat pinched nerves?
Dr. Ngu works to identify the cause through learning your history, performing an examination, and conducting imaging studies.
He may alleviate pain and swelling with medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral corticosteroids, or narcotics. He also recommends physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that may be compressing your nerve.
Pinched nerves respond well to epidural steroid injections, which deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the site of injury and provide relief for months. If a herniated disc is compressing your nerve, Dr. Ngu may remove the damaged disc surgically and replace it with an artificial disc.
When you have a pinched nerve, you don’t have to suffer pain and limited mobility. Contact Dr. Ngu for evaluation and treatment today at Premier Spine Institute by filling in the online appointment form or calling his friendly staff.
