What is the medical term meaning pinched nerve?

Answer 1

A "pinched nerve" is a layperson's term to describe damage or injury to a nerve when it is either compressed, constricted or stretched.

Nerve compression or pinching most often occurs near or within or near the spinal column where nerves emerge from the spinal cord to travel through a narrow exit point of spinal column called a neural foramin, traveling eventually to all parts of the body. At their point of exit from the spine all nerves are vulnerable to injury by compression or pinching by various soft tissue and joints of the spinal column. When a nerve is pinched or compressed near the location where it exists the spine it is radiculopathy.

Nerves can also be constricted, stretched or pinched anywhere along their pathway of distribution away from the spine. This can happen when a a nerve passes over or near a bone (carpal tunnel syndrome) and is called an entrapment syndrome.

Pinched nerves occur when repeated or excessive irritation or pressure is delivered to delicate nerve tissue by other tissue surrounding the nerve, like bone, cartilage, muscles or tendons. Over a period of time this pinching interferes with the ability of the nerve to carry a normal nerve message. As a result, the abnormal nerve signal results in the classic symptoms of a pinched nerve:

• pain,
• burning,
• tingling (paresthesia),
• numbness
• weakness in the body part being supplied.

Answer 2

When too much pressure is put on a nerve by the bones, tendons, or muscles around it, this is called a pinched nerve. Pinched nerves can cause a tingling feeling in the area as well a lot of pain.

Answer 3

We usually say the nerve has been impinged.
Radiculitis