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Nerve damage can cause motor weakness proximal to the muscle. The nervous system is involved in everything the body does, from managing breathing to controlling muscles and sensing heat and cold. Motor nerves control the movement of all muscles that we consciously control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Peripheral neuropathy, an umbrella term for nerve diseases, can affect nerves anywhere in the body, disrupting the body's control of automatic processes, the sense of touch, and muscle control. Nerve deterioration from peripheral neuropathy weakens the connected muscles, causing muscle atrophy and weakness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nerve damage cause | Peripheral neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), Multifocal motor neuropathy, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig's disease, Lyme disease, Herpes viruses, HIV, Hepatitis C, Nutritional deficiencies, etc. |
| Motor nerves function | Control the movement of all muscles we consciously control, e.g. walking, grasping things, talking |
| Sensory nerves function | Transmit information such as touch, temperature, pain |
| Autonomic nerves function | Control muscle and organ function we don't consciously think about, e.g. breathing, heartbeat, digestion |
| Peripheral nerve injury impact | Slows down healing, increases pain, causes muscle weakness, swelling, and poor healing |
| Nerve pain characteristics | Stabbing, tingling, sharp, hypersensitivity to touch or cold |
| Muscle weakness impact | Paralysis, difficulty moving toes/feet/hands, atrophy, deformities |
| Treatment | Medication, physical therapy, nerve block, surgery, acupuncture, massage, stretching, heat, over-the-counter pain relievers, dietary supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Peripheral neuropathy
There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, each with its own symptoms and likely progression. Symptoms vary depending on the type of nerves—motor, sensory, or autonomic—that are damaged. Motor nerves control the movement of all muscles we consciously control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking. Sensory nerves transmit information such as the feeling of a light touch, temperature, or pain. Autonomic nerves control muscle and organ function we don't consciously think about, such as breathing, heartbeat, and the function of our glands. Most neuropathies affect all three types of nerve fibres to varying degrees, while others mostly affect one or two types.
The treatment for peripheral neuropathy varies depending on its cause and other factors, such as medical history and personal preferences. Doctors may prescribe a combination of treatments, including medication or physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to improve or resolve nerve pain.
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Motor neuron diseases
MNDs are classified according to whether the loss of function is due to a genetic mutation (inherited) or sporadic (no family history); and whether they affect the upper motor neurons, lower motor neurons, or both. Upper motor neurons are located in the brain and send messages to the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord, which then instruct the muscles to move. When signals from the lower motor neurons to the muscles are disrupted, the muscles weaken, shrink (atrophy), and may start twitching.
MND symptoms usually begin as mild weakness in the lower body, which gradually worsens and spreads to the upper body, causing paralysis and breathing difficulties. Other symptoms include breathlessness, shortness of breath while lying down, recurrent chest infections, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, confusion, morning headaches, and fatigue.
There is currently no cure or effective treatment for MND, and the exact causes are not yet known. However, researchers believe that exposure to toxins and chemicals, such as heavy metals and pesticides, may play a role. MNDs tend to affect slightly more men than women, and the risk increases with age, especially after 40.
Some common types of MNDs include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most common form of MND. It can affect both upper and lower motor neurons, causing a rapid loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis.
- Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) affects only the upper motor neurons, leading to difficulty and slowness in movements, especially in the arms, legs, and face.
- Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) involves the lower motor neurons in the brain stem and is considered a form of ALS, as most patients eventually develop more widespread MND symptoms.
- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a group of hereditary diseases that affect the lower motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and wasting.
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Nutritional deficiencies
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can lead to nerve damage. Specifically, deficiencies in copper and vitamins B1, B6, B9, B12, folic acid (B9), and E are most likely to cause nerve damage. Too much vitamin B6 can also lead to nerve damage. Nutritional deficiencies that cause nerve damage may also result from drinking too much alcohol or may develop after gastric surgery.
Neuromuscular disorders, which involve dysfunction of peripheral nerves, muscles, or the communication between them, can be caused by nutritional deficiencies. These disorders result in muscle weakness and fatigue that progress over time. Nutritional deficiencies can also cause autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), which can lead to severe weakness.
Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for nerve diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system, which carries motor signals from the brain to the muscles. Nerve deterioration from peripheral neuropathy weakens the connected muscles, leading to muscle atrophy and, in some cases, paralysis. Peripheral neuropathy can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, as well as other factors such as diabetes, medication side effects, and exposure to toxins.
To prevent nerve pain and damage caused by nutritional deficiencies, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and limited alcohol consumption.
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Infectious diseases
Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for nerve diseases that affect a specific subdivision of the nervous system. It can be caused by infectious diseases, which can damage nerves in the body.
Guillain-Barré syndrome is another condition that can cause peripheral neuropathy. It is characterized by the immune system attacking the peripheral nerves, leading to numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness that starts in the feet and moves up the body, and trouble breathing or swallowing.
Other infectious diseases that can affect the nerves include the herpes viruses and hepatitis C.
In addition to infectious diseases, peripheral neuropathy can be caused by various factors, including trauma, inherited conditions, medications, toxins, tumors, and vascular disorders.
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Physical therapy and surgery
Nerve damage can cause motor weakness proximal to the muscle, and physical therapy and surgery are two treatment options that can help alleviate symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.
Physical Therapy
Neurological physical therapists are specialists in evaluating and treating movement problems related to nerve damage or illness. Specific physical therapy exercises that focus on aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength, and balance may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of neuropathy. Aerobic exercises help work muscles and increase breathing and heart rate. Flexibility training, or stretching, keeps joints flexible and reduces the risk of injury. Strength training helps to strengthen muscles, and balance exercises improve strength and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and improving functional mobility.
It is important to note that muscle strengthening exercises should not damage healing nervous tissue. If pins and needles, numbness, or increased pain occurs, the exercise is too intense and can negatively impact recovery. Protective removable static splints can be useful in contracture prevention, and ultrasound and laser therapies can benefit stiff joints.
Surgery
Surgery may be required to repair nerves that have been torn, stretched, compressed, or otherwise damaged beyond their ability to heal. Nerve repair surgery aims to restore function and sensation lost due to nerve damage. There are various methods for repairing a damaged nerve and restoring its function, including direct nerve repair, nerve grafts, and nerve transfers. Direct nerve repair involves connecting the ends of the nerve back together, and this is usually the first method a surgeon considers. A nerve graft is used to bridge a gap between the ends of a damaged nerve when it is too big to reconnect.
The type of procedure depends on the location and cause of the pain, and surgery can be accomplished through relatively small incisions in an outpatient operation. Recovery after nerve repair surgery can take several months or longer, depending on the distance the nerve fibres need to grow from the repair spot to the muscle and skin the nerve supplies. Patients may need to wear a sling or brace to reduce movement in the body part that had surgery and attend physical therapy sessions to keep the joints moving and strengthen the muscle as it recovers function.
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Frequently asked questions
Nerve damage is when nerves in your brain and spinal column that communicate with the muscles throughout your body are injured or affected by disease.
Symptoms of nerve damage include muscle weakness, paralysis, numbness, and pain. The type of pain associated with nerve damage is often stabbing, tingling, and sharp.
Nerve damage can be caused by a variety of conditions or injuries. For example, peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disease that affects the subdivision of your nervous system. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamins B6 and B12, can also cause nerve damage.
Treatment for nerve damage depends on its cause. Doctors may prescribe medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
Yes, nerve damage can cause motor weakness proximal to the muscle. Motor nerves control the movement of muscles we consciously control, such as those used for walking, grasping things, or talking.
