How is nerve injury diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Peripheral Nerve Injury In order to fully determine the extent of the damage to the nerve, the doctor may order an electrical conduction test to determine the passage of electrical currents through the nerves. Two of these tests are electromyography and nerve conduction velocity.

Can you diagnose nerve damage?

By measuring the electrical activity they are able to determine if there is nerve damage, the extent of the damage and potentially the cause of the damage. Frequently the neurologist will recommend common, non-invasive neurological evaluations such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) testing.

What happens when a nerve is injured?

When a nerve is cut, both the nerve and the insulation are broken. Injury to a nerve can stop the transmission of signals to and from the brain, preventing muscles from working and causing loss of feeling in the area supplied by that nerve.

Do injured nerves heal?

If your nerve is bruised or traumatized but is not cut, it should recover over 6-12 weeks. A nerve that is cut will grow at 1mm per day, after about a 4 week period of ‘rest’ following your injury. Some people notice continued improvement over many months.

How long do nerve injuries take to heal?

Once the insulating cover of the nerve is repaired, the nerve generally begins to heal three or four weeks after the injury. Nerves usually grow one inch every month, depending on the patient’s age and other factors.

What test shows nerve damage?

What is a nerve conduction velocity test? A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test — also called a nerve conduction study (NCS) — measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve. NCV can identify nerve damage.

What type of doctor specializes in nerve damage?

Neurologists are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles. Neurological conditions include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of a nerve injury?

The signs and symptoms of a nerve injury can be different depending on the nerve injured, the type of injury, and the severity of the injury. Some may include:

When to see a surgeon for a nerve injury?

– If the surgeon does not have the experience to carry out a definitive repair on a particular nerve injury, the nerve ends should be gently apposed with coloured sutures – or if not apposable the ends should be ‘tagged’. The injury should then be discussed with or urgently referred to a surgeon experienced in nerve repair.

What kind of tests are done for nerve injuries?

If your neurological examination shows signs of a nerve injury, your doctor may recommend diagnostic tests, which may include: Electromyography (EMG). Nerve conduction study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Can a nerve injury be cut but not severed?

If a nerve is injured but not cut, your injury is more likely to heal. Injuries in which the nerve has been completely severed are very difficult to treat and recovery may not be possible. Your doctor will determine your treatment based on the extent and cause of your injury and how well the nerve is healing.

The signs and symptoms of a nerve injury can be different depending on the nerve injured, the type of injury, and the severity of the injury. Some may include:

Who is the best doctor to see for nerve injury?

People with nerve injury problems may be seen by their primary care provider, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurologists, physiatrists, and other specialists to help determine the most appropriate treatment for a specific condition.