The peripheral nervous system connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body through a network of 43 pairs of motor and sensory nerves.

Peripheral neuropathy

If you’re experiencing weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet you could have peripheral neuropathy. This is often as a result of damage to the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves). One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes. In the UK it's estimated almost one in 10 people aged 55 or over are affected by peripheral neuropathy.

Ulnar neuropathy

If you’re suffering from damage to your ulnar nerve, you will most likely be experiencing pain and tingling which is similar to hitting your “funny bone”. This nerve travels down the arm to the wrist, hand and ring and little fingers.

The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) include:

• Burning, stabbing or shooting pain in the affected areas
• Numbness and tingling in the feet or hands
• Loss of balance and co-ordination
• Muscle weakness, especially in the feet

It can also affect other areas in the body such as digestion, urination and circulation.

There are several factors which may increase your risk of experiencing a pinched, trapped, or compressed nerve, such as:

• Rheumatoid arthritis – the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can compress the nerves in your joints
• Bone spurs – trauma or a condition that causes bone thickening, such as osteoarthritis can cause bone spurs which can stiffen the spine and narrow the space where your nerves travel. This then pinches the nerves
• Diabetes – people with diabetes have a higher risk of nerve compression
• Obesity – excess weight can add pressure to the nerves
• Prolonged bed rest – long periods of lying down can increase the risk of trapped nerves
• Overuse – jobs or hobbies that require repetitive hand, wrist or shoulder movements increase your risk of a pinched nerve. Those working in the building and construction trades and manufacturing industries are more susceptible
• Pregnancy – water and weight gain associated with pregnancy can swell nerve pathways, compressing your nerves

It can be difficult to diagnose peripheral neuropathy. Your Consultant will go through your patient history and do a physical examination to identify the cause of your symptoms.

Additional diagnostic tests may be carried out for further assessment, such as an MRI scan or an Electromyography (EMG). An EMG is a diagnostic procedure used to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons). Your EMG results can reveal nerve dysfunction, muscle dysfunction or problems with nerve-to-muscle signal transmission.

Nerves recover slowly and a full recovery without an intervention may take many months or several years. If your injury is caused by a medical condition, you should book an appointment with your GP or Consultant.

If you have a mild nerve injury or lesion, non-surgical treatment options include medication or physiotherapy. If you have more severe injury, such as severely compressed nerves or cut nerves, you may need peripheral nerve surgery.

Peripheral nerve surgery to relieve symptoms of nerve injury or compression involves the decompression (release) of the trapped or damaged nerve or removal of the nerve. The extent of surgery and suitability for surgery will depend on your own situation and your consultant will be able to advise you on the best course of action

Following any surgery, it is very important that follow your consultant’s instructions to promote healing. It is also important that you attend follow-up appointments so that your long-term recovery can be assessed, and you can raise any questions or concerns you may have.