Nerve damage can result from injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions, but recovery is possible with the right care. We go over the key signs of nerve healing and what to expect during the recovery process. Recognizing these signs can help you monitor your progress, watch for potential setbacks, and communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
Pain, numbness, and tingling—nerve damage can be life-altering. While the nervous system is capable of some level of repair, not all types of nerve cells heal equally, and most nerve cells don’t heal as well as some other parts of the body, such as your skin or muscle tissue.
Keeping track of your nerve healing is important, as is knowing what to expect during the recovery process, and relearning to utilize your nerves as they regenerate, whether they’re sensory nerves, motor nerves, or other peripheral nerves.
Damage to the brain and spinal cord is more difficult to treat and recover from. The brain doesn’t generally regenerate – but it can learn to reallocate resources to existing brain tissue and learn how to continue to function and even relearn abilities lost through injury by adapting to new pathways, through “neuroplasticity”. While most spinal cord injuries are irreversible, damage to the surrounding nerve roots and peripheral nerves may be treated.
Understanding the key signs of nerve healing can give you the confidence to navigate your recovery. Learn what to expect during each stage and take charge of your healing journey.
What Causes Nerve Damage and Why Healing Takes Time
Nerve Damage Explained
Nerve damage can occur due to trauma, surgery, poisoning, or certain medical conditions. Lack of blood flow to an area can cause tissue damage, which can result in nerve damage. The brain can experience nerve death in response to a lack of oxygen. Repetitive microtrauma, through work or sport, can result in nerve damage in points of the body that experience physical overuse, such as the wrist or elbow. Medical conditions from diabetes to viral infections can also cause widespread or localized peripheral nerve damage.
Depending on the severity, damage to the nerves can affect your sensory, motor, or autonomic functions. Even minor nerve damage can greatly impact your quality of life, from impeding your senses to affecting your mobility.
Like muscle or tendon damage, there are levels of severity to different forms of nerve damage. Your peripheral nervous system is like a network of tree roots, and a completely severed tree root can no longer communicate with the rest of the network. Fully severed nerves, or neurotmesis, must be treated surgically with reattachment or nerve grafting.
Partially damaged nerves (axonotmesis) can regenerate, albeit slowly. Regeneration also does not guarantee a full return to normal feeling or function. Sometimes, nerve function can be impeded without actual physical damage to the nerve (neuropraxia). These forms of nerve damage usually involve numbness or loss of feeling without signs of nerve degeneration, desheathing of the nerve cells, or other indications of damage. If the root cause of the injury can be determined and treated, time and rest will often be enough for full nerve function to return.
Nerve healing takes time because nerves regenerate slowly, and they may need months or even years to fully recover. Some nerve cells, such as those in the brain or spine, generally do not regenerate.
Key Signs of Nerve Healing: What to Watch For
- Gradual Return of Sensation
A positive indicator of healing is the gradual return of feeling in the affected area. You may notice reduced numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or other parts of the body. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take over a month for feeling to return. Peripheral nerves regenerate at a rate of about an inch a month.
- Changes in Pain Levels
As nerves heal, pain levels may fluctuate. Some people experience “nerve pain,” such as burning, sharp sensations, or shooting pain. This is actually a sign that the nerve fibers are reconnecting and signaling properly again. If the pain becomes unmanageable with over-the-counter medication, discuss the issue with your doctor and explore other pain management options together.
- Muscle Strength Improvement
Nerves are responsible for transmitting signals that control muscle movement. If you experienced muscle weakness due to nerve damage, regaining strength is a clear sign of nerve recovery. Bed rest alone will not be enough to recover full strength, however. Over time, you’ll notice improved motor control and coordination, and you will need to relearn motor patterns that might have degraded since the injury. This includes basic mobility work and strengthening exercises, to improve your quality of life.
- Positive Changes in Reflexes
As your nerves heal, you may observe the return of normal reflexes. For example, if you lost the ability to perform a reflexive action due to nerve damage, the reappearance of these automatic responses indicates that healing is progressing.
The Stages of Nerve Healing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Stage 1: Inflammation and Repair
After the initial damage, the body begins its repair work by clearing away damaged tissues and cells. This phase might feel uncomfortable, with swelling, pain, and heat around the injury site. It is not recommended to use cold therapy to bring down the swelling during the acute stages of the injury. Heat, swelling, and discomfort is normal. Avoid NSAIDs and use other pain medications such as acetaminophen (Advil), and warm therapy.
Stage 2: Nerve Regeneration
In this stage, the nerve fibers (axons) begin to regrow. You may notice changes in sensation, such as tingling or sensitivity, as the nerve fibers slowly reconnect with surrounding tissues. It’s normal to experience some pain during this stage as the body continues to heal. If you are recovering from a reattachment surgery or neurotization (rewiring your nerves surgically to innervate a more important damaged section of the body), then this stage is crucial. Your doctor will carefully observe your nerve function and test you during follow-up appointments to ascertain the rate of your recovery.
Stage 3: Functional Recovery
As nerve connections are re-established, you’ll begin to regain feeling and motor control. This stage can take time, but gradual improvements in strength, sensation, and coordination indicate ongoing recovery. It’s during this stage that rebuilding motor control through therapy is important.
How to Support Your Nerve Healing Journey
- Proper Nutrition
Certain vitamins and nutrients, like B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, play a crucial role in nerve health. A diet rich in these nutrients can aid the regeneration process and support overall recovery. Poor diet, on the other hand, can result in lethargic nerve healing. Other risk factors for poor nerve recovery include smoking, diabetes, circulatory health problems, or a history of radiation therapy.
- Physical Therapy
Engaging in physical therapy can enhance nerve recovery by improving circulation, muscle tone, and flexibility. A therapist can guide you through exercises tailored to your specific injury, focusing on regaining function through physical stress tests and routine muscle function exercises.
- Rest and Patience
Healing nerves require time and rest. Avoid pushing your body too hard, as overexertion can delay progress. As with any physical recovery, there is also a mental element to the healing process. Positive thinking can result in better outcomes, as can exercising patience with your recovery process. Don’t expect too much too soon but believe in the best possible prognosis.
Conclusion
Healing from nerve damage can be a slow, often frustrating journey, but recognizing the key signs of progress can provide reassurance, and let you know that you’re on your way towards regaining function. By understanding the stages of nerve healing, staying patient, and seeking proper care, you can take a more active role in your recovery.
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