Peripheral nerve injuries and nerve damage disrupt the flow of messages between your brain and your body. They can occur in all nerves that arise outside the spinal cord. If you suspect you have a peripheral nerve injury, it’s important to see a specialist quickly to ensure a timely diagnosis and be considered for all treatment options.
Peripheral neuropathy may be caused by:
Nerve Compression
Nerve compression occurs when the nerve is under too much pressure from surrounding tissues. Carpal tunnel syndrome is nerve compression at the wrist. Nerve compression may occur elsewhere in the body, such as in the neck, chest, wrist, elbow, forearm, hip, leg, foot, and ankle.
Traumatic Nerve Injuries
Trauma caused by an accident or by playing sports may result in peripheral nerve injuries. The nerve may be torn, stretched, cut, or crushed. When this happens to nerves in the hand, arm, or shoulder, it's known as a brachial plexus injury. This may also occur at birth.
Tumors Growing on the Nerve
Noncancerous nerve tumors include schwannomas and neurofibromas. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are rare cancers that develop in the sheaths that surround peripheral nerves.
Conditions and Injuries
Peripheral neuropathy may be caused by a condition you're born with, such as cerebral palsy, or an injury to the brain or spine, such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury.
Auto-Immune Disease
Parsonage-Turner Syndrome is a rare disease that can affect nerves in the shoulder, arm, and hand.
