Nerve Disorders

Nerve Disorders

Nerve disorders happen when there is damage to one or more of your peripheral nerves. These disorders can often affect multiple systems in your body.

Our knowledgeable team of experts offers outstanding care. At Emory Healthcare, your collaborative, multidisciplinary care team may include:

  • Neurologists
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Nurses
  • Physiatrists (doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation)
  • Physical therapists
  • Radiologists

We offer individualized care to guide you through every step of your journey.

Find an Emory Provider

Why Choose Emory

The Peripheral Nerve Clinic at Emory combines neurology and neurosurgery. We offer expertise in many nerve disorders, including:

  • Compressive, acquired and inherited neuropathies (nerve disease or damage)
  • Nerve sheath tumors (growths in the tissue that surrounds nerve cells)
  • Neurofibromatosis (a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow in the nerves and skin)
  • Pain syndromes
  • Peripheral nerve, brachial or lumbosacral injuries

Plus, the Emory Facial Nerve Program is the only one in Georgia focused solely on treating facial paralysis.

Our team is committed to the highest quality care. This includes same-day electrophysiological evaluation, such as electromyography and nerve conduction studies. These tests diagnose nerve conditions by measuring the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves.

We also offer same-day neurological and neurosurgical consultations.

Emory Neurosurgery is a national leader in research. Our doctors and scientists work to develop new treatment options for nerve disorders.

What are Nerve Disorders?

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) includes nerves that travel from your brain and spinal cord to your face, arms, legs and the rest of your body.

If there is damage to the PNS, nerves can’t communicate properly. This can result in pain, numbness or weakness.

Peripheral neuropathy is an umbrella term for conditions that affect your peripheral nerves. There are more than 100 types of peripheral nerve disorders.

Some common peripheral nerve conditions include:

  • Brachial plexus injury (BPI)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Facial paralysis
  • Foot drop
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
  • Nerve root pain
  • Neurofibromas
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Causes of Nerve Disorders

Peripheral nerve disorders have many causes. They vary according to the type of disorder.

Some causes include:

  • Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
  • Certain cancers
  • Diabetes or hypothyroidism
  • Genetics (for inherited disorders)
  • Exposure to toxins like lead and mercury
  • Infections such as HIV, Lyme disease and shingles
  • Kidney, liver or thyroid disease
  • Medicines such as chemotherapy
  • Nerve injury due to trauma, repetitive stress or damage during surgery
  • Viruses like Guillan-Barre syndrome
  • Vitamin deficiencies, especially B12

Symptoms of Nerve Disorders

Symptoms of nerve disorders vary depending on which nerves are impacted. Some nerves affect the senses, and some affect movement. Others direct your organs to control functions like breathing and digestion.

Signs of nerve disorders may include:

  • Clumsiness or poor coordination
  • Difficulty with balance or walking
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Numbness, pain, tingling or burning in your arms, legs, hands or feet
  • Paralysis
  • Problems with urination or sexual dysfunction
  • Sensitivity to touch and temperature
  • Weakness

Diagnosing Nerve Disorders

Your doctor will review your health history and discuss your symptoms. They will do a physical exam as well.

You also may have additional tests, such as:

  • Biopsy of nerve or skin tissue
  • Blood tests to rule out other conditions
  • Electromyogram (EMG) to check muscle activity
  • Genetic tests if there’s a family history of nerve disorders
  • Imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan
  • Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to examine spinal fluid
  • Nerve condition tests to assess nerve function
  • Neurologic exam of your senses and coordination

Nerve Disorders Treatments

Our collaborative teams at Emory Peripheral Nerve Clinic offer a variety of treatments for nerve disorders. These include medicine, physical therapy, assistive devices and surgery.

Learn more about our Nerve Disorders treatments
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