Nerve Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.

What kind of doctor treats Nerve Injury?

A neurologist, a doctor who treats nerve and brain problems, often leads care for nerve injury. A physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, who helps people regain movement and function, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.

What is nerve injury?

Nerve injury is damage to nerves. Here, it means damage to the peripheral nerves, the nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Nerves are like wires that carry messages back and forth between your brain and your body. Peripheral nerves carry messages that control your movement, breathing, heartbeat, and digestion. They also let you feel things such as pain, heat, and cold.

Damaged nerves may not carry messages correctly, or they may not work at all. You may have pain, trouble walking, or other problems, depending on which nerves are involved.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected, what is causing the damage, and how serious it is. Motor nerves control your muscles. Damage to them can cause:

  • Weak or aching muscles.
  • Problems with balance, walking, or using your arms and hands.
  • Cramps or twitching muscles.
  • Muscle shrinking.

Sensory nerves carry messages about touch, hot and cold, and pain. Damage to them can cause:

  • Tingling, numbness, or pain, often in the hands and feet.
  • Not being able to feel heat, cold, or pain, such as a cut on your foot.
  • Pain from even light touch.

Autonomic nerves control body functions you do not think about. Damage to them can cause a heartbeat that is too fast or too slow, trouble swallowing, or sweating too much or too little. Symptoms may range from mild to very strong. They may develop quickly over days or slowly over months and years. They are rarely life-threatening.

Causes and who gets it

Physical injury, also called trauma, can stretch, crush, squeeze, cut, or put pressure on one or more nerves. Car accidents, falls, sports, and medical procedures are examples. Even less severe injuries can cause serious nerve damage. Broken or dislocated bones can press on nearby nerves.

Other causes include:

  • Diabetes, which is the most common cause of peripheral nerve disorders.
  • Infections, such as HIV and Lyme disease.
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
  • Kidney or liver disease.
  • Certain cancers and their treatment.
  • Certain medicines.
  • Contact with toxic substances, such as lead or mercury.
  • Alcohol use disorder, smoking, and a lack of vitamin B12.

In certain cases, the cause is not known.

How doctors diagnose it

Your provider will ask about your medical history and family health history. You will also have a physical exam. Your provider may order tests, such as blood tests and genetic tests. Nerve tests can measure the electrical activity in your nerves and muscles. A nerve conduction study measures how strong and how fast signals travel along nerves. Electromyography, or EMG, checks how well nerves and muscles work. A biopsy of nerve or skin tissue may be done. A CT or MRI scan can show what may be pressing on your nerves.

Treatment

It is important to treat any condition that is causing nerve damage. In certain cases, that will allow your nerves to heal over time. Treatment for symptoms depends on the type of nerve problem, where it is, and how severe it is. Options include:

  • Braces or splints.
  • Over-the-counter patches and skin creams.
  • Prescription medicines.
  • Non-drug pain management, such as electrical stimulation or relaxation therapy.
  • Surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve.

Quitting smoking, avoiding toxins, exercising, and eating healthfully can also support healthier nerves. Opioids, strong prescription pain medicines, are not recommended for nerve-related pain.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you have numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness that affects walking, balance, or using your hands. Tell your doctor if you cannot feel heat, cold, or pain, because a cut on your foot, for example, could go unnoticed. Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a head or spine injury, a deep or large wound, bleeding that will not stop, or sudden, severe pain. Also call 911 for sudden weakness, trouble breathing, or trouble speaking.

How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in

A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine you, order first tests, and help manage conditions that can harm nerves, such as diabetes. They can also coordinate care with a neurologist or other specialist.

Common questions

Can a damaged nerve heal?

Sometimes. In certain cases, treating what is causing the nerve damage lets the nerves heal over time. A doctor can explain how the damage is causing your symptoms and how to manage them.

Is nerve injury life-threatening?

Usually not. Symptoms can range from mild to very strong, but they are rarely life-threatening. Some injuries, such as a head or spine injury, are emergencies and need care right away.

Which tests check for nerve injury?

Doctors may use nerve tests, scans, and sometimes a biopsy. A nerve conduction study measures signal strength and speed along nerves. A CT or MRI scan can show what may be pressing on your nerves.

Can nerve injury be prevented?

Sometimes. You can lower your risk by managing health conditions that can damage nerves, especially diabetes. Preventing falls and accidents, avoiding toxic substances, and avoiding repeated motions and body positions that press on your nerves can also help.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus - Peripheral Nerve Disorders
  2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Peripheral Neuropathy

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.