Nerve Weakness

What is nerve weakness?

Nerves are responsible for transmission of signals in your body. Nerve disorders or injuries to the nerves affect their normal working and result in nerve weakness. Nerve weakness affects a wide range of functioning of your body parts and can result in disabling conditions.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

The main signs and symptoms of nerve weakness are as follows:

• Pain
• Pricking or tickling sensation
• Numbness
• Loss of sensation
• Fatigue
• Muscular weakness
• Foot drop (inability to elevate the front part of the foot)

What are the main causes?

There can be a number of underlying causes for nerve weakness. These are as follows:

• Nerve injury
• Diabetes
• HIV infection
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cancer treatment
• Nerve compression due to tumour or vasculature (blood vessels)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke
• Leprosy

How is it diagnosed and treated?

The signs and symptoms indicate the involvement of nervous system. However, the symptoms of nerve weakness are not very specific; hence, clinical diagnosis is very critical. Study of your medical, family, and occupational history can provide important information to the doctor that can assist in diagnosing the underlying cause. The following diagnostic tests are carried out:

• Electrodiagnostic tests
• Sensory and motor nerve conduction
• F response
• H reflex
• Needle Electromyography
• Blood Investigation for
• Autoimmune disorders
• HIV
• CSF examination (cerebrospinal fluid)

Nerve weakness can be a result of one or more underlying conditions or diseases. Hence, the treatment mainly focuses on curing the underlying disease. Following treatment options are available:

Medications which control pain:

• Opioids
• Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
• Capsaicin patches
• Anti-Depressants.
• Kinetic therapy for nerve repair and stimulation.
• Electrostimulation:
• Transcutaneous electrostimulation (TCES)
• Electroacupuncture
• Magnetotherapy: Pulsed magnetic field regenerates nerves by enzymatic stimulation, increased blood circulation.
• Bio Laser stimulation: Laser radiations can be used to repair the nerves.
• Facial neuromuscular restraining techniques to treat facial paralysis.
• Physical therapy exercises to strengthen muscles.
• Yoga and Meditation to calm down the nerves and strengthen them.
• Surgical intervention.

To manage nerve weakness, it is important to have a healthy lifestyle and consume a balanced diet.

1. Krzysztof Suszyński. Physiotherapeutic techniques used in the management of patients with peripheral nerve injuries. Neural Regen Res. 2015 Nov; 10(11): 1770–1772. PMID: 26807111
2. Usha Kant Misra et al. Diagnostic approach to peripheral neuropathy. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2008 Apr-Jun; 11(2): 89–97. PMID: 19893645
3. Sumit Kar et al. Nerve damage in leprosy: An electrophysiological evaluation of ulnar and median nerves in patients with clinical neural deficits: A pilot study. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr-Jun; 4(2): 97–10. PMID: 23741664
4. Shri K Mishra et al. The therapeutic value of yoga in neurological disorders. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2012 Oct-Dec; 15(4): 247–254. PMID: 23349587
5. National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Nerve Problems (Peripheral Neuropathy) and Cancer Treatment.

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