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Causes of a Pinched Nerve

“Pinched nerve” is a general term that is used to describe the compression of individual nerves or groups of nerves.

Pinched Nerves and Herniated Discs

Herniated discs are the most common reason for a pinched nerve between the vertebrae of the spine.

This condition occurs when the gel-like center of a vertebral disc (the nucleus pulposus) breaks through the outer ligament (the annulus fibrosis) of the intervertebral disc. This bulge of extruded material puts pressure on the adjacent nerve root, causing it to function improperly and send pain signals.

The discs that are most prone to herniations are those in the cervical spine and the lumbar spine because these are the most flexible vertebrae.

Pinched Nerves and Lumbar Disc Herniations

Lumbar disc herniations most often occur between lumbar segments 4 and 5, and lumbar segment 5 and sacral segment 1. Herniations at these levels compress the L5 nerve and the S1 nerve.

Pinching of the L5 nerve can cause numbness, pain, burning and tingling sensations to radiate out from the affected area down the inner thigh and leg to the big toe.

Pinching of the S1 nerve can cause radiating pain down the outer leg to the ankle and the sole and side of the foot.

Pinched Nerves and Cervical Disc Herniations

Cervical disc herniations occur less frequently than lumbar disc herniations because less force is exerted on the cervical spine.

When nerve roots in the cervical spine are compressed or “pinched,” the result can be radiating pain to the arms. If the sensory nerves between the first and second or second and third cervical levels are pinched, severe, chronic headaches can also result.

Pinched Nerves and Thoracic Disc Herniations

Although less common than pinched nerves from lumbar or cervical herniations, a thoracic herniated disc may lead to myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction), progressive neurological deficits, or intolerable pain. Typically, these symptoms occur following an acute traumatic disc herniation with myelopathy. The surgery to address these symptoms, employing a decompression, is designed to take the pressure off the spinal caord or nerve root.

Learn more about pinched nerves:
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Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
Treatment for Pinched Nerves

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The Bonati Spine Institute advocates pinched nerve patients to be well informed. We encourage you to contact us to request more information, a no-obligation MRI review or a personal telephone consultation. Find out why The Bonati Procedures are considered to be among the world’s best solutions for laser spine surgery.