Women are more likely than men to have certain pinched nerve conditions, like carpal tunnel syndrome. Accidents that cause bone spurs can stiffen certain areas and cause osteoarthritis, which can narrow the space of the spine, causing more pinched nerves. Rheumatoid arthritis can compress nerves in the joints, causing more problems, while thyroid disease sufferers can have a higher risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Those who are overweight or have diabetes are also at higher risk of compressing nerves, and pregnant women who gain weight can have nerve paths swell, causing more pinches. And there are certain jobs that require repetitive hand, shoulder, wrist or other movements, like assembly line work or factory jobs, increasing the chances of a pinched nerve.
Finally, genetics can play a role as well. Some people are just predisposed to the narrowing conditions that can cause nerves to be pinched.
Diagnosing a Pinched Nerve
Doctors will usually perform a complete physical exam to determine whether you have a pinched nerve. They may also ask for some additional tests. These include:
- Nerve conduction study- This measures the functioning in your muscles and nerves with electrodes attached to the skin. This measures the impulses in your nerves when a small current passes through the areas.
- Electromyography. This is an evaluation of the electrical activity of the muscles while contracting or at risk. Commonly called an EMG, it is performed when a doctor inserts a needle electrode through the skin into various muscles.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test requires lying in a tube while a magnetic field and radio waves produce a detailed inner view of the body to help determine where pressure may occur.