Peripheral Entrapment Neuropathy

What is peripheral entrapment neuropathy?

Peripheral entrapment neuropathy is a result of damage to peripheral nerves in a person’s upper and lower extremities. It often causes abnormal sensations. People with peripheral entrapment neuropathy generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. The skin, usually in the hands and feet, can be hypersensitive to pain. Sometimes, peripheral entrapment neuropathy causes weakness. It also can affect other areas of the body.

Peripheral entrapment neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and exposure to toxins. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common causes. Peripheral neuropathy can affect one nerve (mononeuropathy), two or more nerves in different areas (multiple mononeuropathy) or many nerves (polyneuropathy). Most people with peripheral neuropathy have polyneuropathy.

How is peripheral entrapment neuropathy treated?

In addition to traditional medications and therapies used to treat conditions associated with peripheral entrapment neuropathy, BayCare Clinic Pain & Rehab Medicine uses a non-surgical procedure called ultrasound-guided hydrodissection and block to release small neuropathic peripheral nerves that are trapped and irritated.

During a hydrodissection and block procedure, small amounts of prepared solution with a low dose of steroid are injected around nerves to create space between nerves and other soft tissues such as fasciae, ligament and tendon that have trapped or compressed the nerves. The entrapped or compressed nerves will recover their function.

How long does peripheral entrapment neuropathy treatment last?

Some people may get permanent pain relief from hydrodissection treatment for peripheral entrapment neuropathy. However, for most people, hydrodissection treatment offers temporary pain relief because entrapment of the nerves reoccurs. If nerves again become trapped or compressed, further hydrodissection treatments may be needed. Some people may need surgery to release nerve entrapments.

Hydrodissection treatment may help people decrease the use or dosage of narcotic medication or other medicines after getting relief for neuropathic pain after the procedure. That may help people who suffer from the side effects of medicines they take for pain.