How serious is nerve damage?
Asked by: Deborah Bradtke | Last update: November 28, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (1 votes)
A nerve injury can affect the brain's ability to communicate with muscles and organs. Damage to the peripheral nerves is called peripheral neuropathy. It's important to get medical care for a peripheral nerve injury as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent complications and permanent damage.
Is nerve damage always serious?
Peripheral nerve injuries can be mild or serious, and can be graded on the Sunderland scale, which defines five degrees of severity. Injuries may be treated with nonsurgical or surgical therapy.
Can nerve damage be life threatening?
Symptoms of peripheral neuropathies. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can range from mild to severe but are rarely life-threatening. The symptoms depend on the type of nerve fibers affected and the type and severity of damage. Symptoms may develop over days, weeks, or years.
How do you treat nerve damage?
If your nerve is only injured, you may recover over time without surgery. Nerves heal slowly, sometimes over many months. For these mild nerve injuries, nonsurgical treatment options include medication, physical therapy or massage therapy. Peripheral nerve surgery can reconstruct or repair damaged nerves.
What are the three stages of nerve damage?
- Stage One: Numbness & Pain.
- Stage Two: Constant Pain.
- Stage Three: Intense Pain.
- Stage Four: Complete Numbness/ Loss of Sensation.
Neurology - Nerve Damage and Regeneration
What is the most common nerve damage?
- Brachial plexus or “burner” neck/shoulder nerve injury. ...
- Radial nerve injury. ...
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. ...
- Ulnar elbow entrapment or bicycler's neuropathy. ...
- Ulnar wrist entrapment.
Will I end up in a wheelchair with peripheral neuropathy?
The Fifth Phase: Total Loss of Sensation
Balancing and walking on steady feet become extremely difficult. Your mobility will be limited. You may be in a wheelchair.
Can you live a long life with nerve damage?
Patients with mild symptoms may have a normal life expectancy, while those with severe symptoms may have a shorter lifespan. Severe peripheral neuropathy can affect a person's ability to perform daily activities and increase the risk of falls and other accidents, which can impact overall health and longevity.
What drink is good for nerve damage?
A 2-wk course of tart cherry juice significantly improved nondiabetic peripheral neuropathy in the majority of patients in the study. None of the patients reported any adverse effects from the treatment.
Is nerve damage a disability?
Yes. It is possible to get automatic approval for SSDI and/or SSI benefits if you meet the blue book listing for peripheral neuropathy. If you meet or exceed these criteria, then you will not have to prove that your neuropathy prevents you from performing either your past work or any other work in the national economy.
How long is too long for nerve damage?
Without adequate nerve supply, muscles can stop working completely within 12-18 months. For this reason, Dr. Lipinski advises people who experience nerve trauma or injury to seek treatment as soon as possible for the best outcomes.
Should you wear socks to bed with neuropathy?
For some people with neuropathy, the touch of sheets and covers can make pain worse. If your feet get painful at night, try wearing soft socks. Dr. Farhad also recommends diabetic socks, which are available in most drugstores.
What stops nerve pain immediately?
Lidocaine or capsaicin may help ease neuropathic pain. You can apply these creams, ointments or patches directly to the affected areas. Nerve blocks. These injections can provide temporary pain relief.
What happens if you don't fix nerve damage?
He cautions patients against assuming that nerve damage will simply heal itself. Reality is that a damaged nerve that could have been repaired with surgery, if left untreated for over 12 months, the damage can become permanent. And permanent nerve damage is the last thing you want.
What is the strongest drug for nerve pain?
Peer-reviewed studies have shown that gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline, duloxetine, and venlafaxine are the most effective nerve pain medications. These drugs are the first-line therapy for neuropathic pain. Opioid painkillers, such as tramadol, are some of the strongest drugs available for pain control.
What is the best exercise for nerve damage?
- Go for a Walk. Aim to walk 30 minutes a day five days a week with a 20-minute stretch prior. ...
- Low-Impact Aerobic Exercises. If kickboxing is not your style, take it easy with a nice afternoon of swimming or cycling. ...
- Resistance Training. ...
- Stretching Increases Flexibility.
Does drinking lots of water help with nerve damage?
Water should be a staple in any diet, and even more so for those looking to reduce nerve pain. It's critical to stay hydrated throughout the day to reduce inflammation and avoid triggering pain receptors. Aim to drink eight 8-oz. of water each day.
What 8 foods heal nerve damage?
- Leafy Greens: Your Nerve's Best Friend. ...
- Fatty Fish: Omega-3 Boost for Nerve Regeneration. ...
- Nuts and Seeds: The Power of Vitamin E. ...
- Avocados: Rich in Healthy Fats and Potassium. ...
- Turmeric: Nature's Anti-Inflammatory Spice. ...
- Dark Chocolate: Indulge for Nerve Health.
What worsens nerve pain?
High levels of stress and anxiety can amplify your pain. Physical stress and exertion can increase your nerve pain as well. Strenuous exercise and the accompanying soreness can contribute to nerve pain during the night. Living in a chronic state of stress will wreak havoc on your physical and mental health.
What is the last stage of nerve damage?
By the time a person reaches the fifth and final stage, the nerves are almost completely dead. The person cannot walk without assistant and may need a wheelchair to get around. The risk of amputation and other complications is extremely high.
Are eggs bad for neuropathy?
A deficiency of vitamin B-12 was found to be one of the causes of peripheral neuropathy, as it causes nerve damage. Besides vitamins and supplements, low-fat dairy foods, fish and eggs are a good source of vitamin B.
Can nerve damage cripple you?
Nerve deterioration from peripheral neuropathy weakens the connected muscles. That can cause paralysis, which may cause difficulty moving the toes, foot drop and hand weakness. Weakness can also affect muscles in the thighs, arms and elsewhere. Muscle atrophy.
Does eating bananas help with neuropathy?
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is present in foods such as lentils, beans, and bananas. NAC may protect the neurological system from inflammation and damage, which may help prevent or treat neuropathy.
Should you walk a lot with neuropathy?
Not only is walking good for your neuropathy, not walking can actually make your neuropathic symptoms worse. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to chronic pain and make many of the common symptoms of neuropathy worse.
At what point is nerve damage permanent?
But it's also important to know there's often a ticking clock with nerve injuries. When a patient loses mobility in an arm or leg, you often can't get nerve function back if you wait too long. After 12 to 18 months, the connection between the nerve and muscle dies off and can no longer be restored.