Neurapraxia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Neurapraxia
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Loss of motor and sensory function
Complications
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Temporary
Types	N/A
Causes	Trauma, compression
Risks	Contact sports, repetitive motion
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, Electromyography
Differential diagnosis	Axonotmesis, Neurotmesis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Rest, physical therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Good, full recovery expected
Frequency	Common in athletes
Deaths	N/A

Neurapraxia is a type of peripheral nerve injury that is characterized by a temporary loss of motor and sensory function due to blockage of nerve conduction. It is the mildest form of nerve injury and is often caused by compression or ischemia.

Pathophysiology

Neurapraxia occurs when there is a disruption in the conduction of the nerve impulse along the nerve fiber. This disruption is usually due to a localized injury that affects the myelin sheath but leaves the axon intact. The injury results in a temporary loss of function, but the nerve structure remains preserved, allowing for full recovery over time.

Causes

Neurapraxia is commonly caused by:

• Compression of the nerve, such as from a tourniquet or tight bandage.
• Ischemia, which is a lack of blood supply to the nerve.
• Trauma, such as a blow or impact that compresses the nerve.

Symptoms

The symptoms of neurapraxia include:

• Loss of motor function in the affected area.
• Loss of sensation or numbness.
• Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of neurapraxia is typically made through clinical examination and patient history. Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies can be used to assess the extent of the nerve injury and to differentiate neurapraxia from more severe nerve injuries such as axonotmesis or neurotmesis.

Treatment

Treatment for neurapraxia focuses on relieving the cause of the nerve compression and allowing time for recovery. This may include:

• Rest and avoidance of activities that exacerbate symptoms.
• Physical therapy to maintain muscle strength and flexibility.
• Pain management with medications if necessary.

Prognosis

The prognosis for neurapraxia is generally excellent, with most patients experiencing full recovery within weeks to months. The recovery time depends on the severity of the compression and the duration of the injury.

See Also

• Peripheral nerve injury
• Axonotmesis
• Neurotmesis
• Myelin