What is Neurapraxia

Neurapraxia is when a nerve stops working for a while. Many people describe neurapraxia as a feeling that a part of the body has “fallen asleep.”

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a decrease in blood flow to a nerve. It can happen if a nerve gets stretched, twisted, or pressed on. It can also happen with some infections and diseases or in very cold temperatures.

This condition often happens after:

• A bone breaks or moves out of place.
• A part of the body suddenly and forcefully moves, such as in a car crash or during a sport.
• Wearing a cast or bandage that is too tight.
• Sleeping in a position that limits blood flow to an arm or leg.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Numbness.
• Tingling.
• Muscle weakness.
• Burning pain.
• Cool skin.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with:

• A physical exam. During the exam, your health care provider will check for feeling (sensation) in several parts of your body by touching them lightly or pricking them with a pin. Your health care provider will also test how strong your muscles are.
• Tests, such as:
  • Electromyoneurogram. This test checks how well your muscles and nerves are working.
  • Nerve conduction studies. These tests measure the flow of electricity through a nerve.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

Treatment for neurapraxia depends on the underlying condition. Treatment may involve:

• Medicine to help with swelling or pain.
• A support device, such as a brace, walker, or crutches.
• Physical therapy. This can speed up healing. It can also help to prevent stiffness and future damage.
• Surgery. This may be done to relieve pressure on the nerve or to restore normal blood flow to the nerve.
• A device called an electrical stimulator. This device sends pulses of electricity into the muscles. The goal of using this device is to bring back movement.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or brace:

• Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
• Loosen the splint or brace if any part of your body tingles, becomes numb, or turns cold and blue.
• Do not let your splint or brace get wet if it is not waterproof. If it is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag when you take a bath or a shower.
• Keep the splint or brace clean.
• Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you are wearing a splint or brace.

General instructions

• Rest. Give your body time to heal.
• Use crutches or a walker as told by your health care provider.
• Take over-the-counter medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you started physical therapy and were given exercises to do at home, do them as told by your health care provider.
• If areas of your body are numb, take care to protect them from burns and other kinds of injuries.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You continue to have numbness or muscle weakness.
• You continue to have pain, even after you take pain medicine.

Get help right away if:

• Your pain suddenly becomes severe.
• Your numbness or weakness gets much worse.
• Your muscles start to twitch.
• You have muscle spasms.