Herniated disc paresthesia is a symptom set more often known by its common description of pins and needles-like tingling, accompanied by numbness. Paresthesia is usually theorized to be part of a foraminal stenosis diagnosis, although tingling is rarely an actual symptom of true continued nerve compression. Real pinched nerves demonstrate objective numbness and weakness in specific muscles, whereas most misdiagnosed patients suffer from pain, tingling, subjective numbness and subjective weakness as their main symptomatic complaints.
This resource will discuss the occurrence of paresthesia in association with causative and coincidental disc protrusions in the spinal anatomy.
What is Herniated Disc Paresthesia?
Paresthesia is defined as a numb and/or tingling sensation which may occur in the back, buttocks, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers or toes of affected patients. Actually the condition can strike virtually anywhere in the body and is often related to a circulatory or ischemia syndrome, rather than a herniated disc. Pins and needles is a known effect of oxygen deprivation of neurological tissue and feels just like when a limb falls asleep from being in a static or strange position for too long.
While it is possible for a numb or tingling sensation to be produced from partial nerve compression or impingement, it is rare, since most of these conditions are theorized, unproven and grossly misdiagnosed in the majority of suspected cases.
When total numbness and subsequent weakness replaces subjective paresthesia, then the chances for a structurally-based neurological compression diagnosis increase drastically.
When central spinal stenotic change is the theorized source of paresthesia, diagnosis might be more difficult to pinpoint. This is because stenosis anywhere in the vertebral column can produce almost unbelievably diverse symptoms anywhere below the narrowed spinal level.
Herniated Disc Paresthesia Concerns
Numbness and tingling can also come from many other anatomical sources, as well mindbody enactment:
Diabetes can cause nerve pain and tingling, as can several serious conditions, such as myocardial infarction. It is wise to always report sudden or new symptoms to your doctor and this is especially true if the effects are severe or in sensitive areas, such as the chest or genitals.
Tingling in the anus, perineum or genitals can be an early warning sign of cauda equina syndrome, although in some patients, these types of expressions are part of severe ischemic pain conditions. It is best to seek a positive diagnosis, just to be safe, especially since CES can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
Paresthesia Caused by a Herniated Disc
Subjective neurological effects, like pins and needles, are seldom related to truly pinched nerves in the spine. Research has conclusively shown a defined symptomology for real nerve compression, and it does not include such subjective expressions as tingling in most patients, especially for chronic conditions.
Tingling may indeed occur after a new injury and may eventually lead to complete numbness and weakness. This type of syndrome is more likely to indicate a real neurological injury somewhere which might require drastic or even surgical intervention.
Cauda equina syndrome is one of the most extreme situations which may begin with tingling and can enact permanent nerve injury in some of the most crucial neurological structures in the body.
Herniated Disc > Herniated Disc Tingling > Herniated Disc Paresthesia
