Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy is a condition that involves the dysfunction of a single nerve and is a type of peripheral neuropathy. It can affect you in different areas of the body including your hands and feet.

Aurora Health Care’s team of expert neurologists use the latest treatments for mononeuropathy to help you manage your condition.

Nerves are like an intricate network that carries messages between your brain and your body from your toes wiggling to your stomach growling. Mononeuropathy interferes with this communication pathway from the brain to its desired destination.

To understand mononeuropathy better, let’s explore the anatomy of a nerve, which includes key players such as the cell body, axon and myelin sheath.

• Axon: This is the long, slender cable that transmits the signals.
• Cell body: This is the nerve's headquarters where it manufactures all the necessary proteins to keep messages moving through the communication pathway smoothly.
• Myelin sheath: This fatty coating acts as protection around the axon and speeds up signal transmission.

Normally, nerves relay messages like a well-oiled machine. For example, your brain sends a signal such as, “grab a pen.” That message travels down the axon, protected by the myelin. When the signal reaches the fingers, they get the message and pick up the pen.

With mononeuropathy, that message gets lost due to damage or compression to the nerve. This can happen due to various reasons, such as injury, vitamin deficiencies or diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune disease and infections. When the signal is disrupted, it can lead to a wide range of symptoms.

Symptoms of mononeuropathy

Symptoms of mononeuropathy can vary depending on the specific nerve affected and the underlying cause of the condition.

Here are some common symptoms associated with mononeuropathy:

• Numbness or tingling: If you have mononeuropathy, you may experience numbness or tingling in the area served by the affected nerve.
• Pain: Pain is a hallmark symptom of mononeuropathy. The nature and intensity of pain can vary, ranging from a persistent, dull ache to a sharp and shooting pain.
• Sensory changes: For example, carpal tunnel syndrome, a form of mononeuropathy, can lead to changes in sensation in the hand and fingers.
• Sensitivity to touch: You may experience increased sensitivity to touch in the affected area.
• Temperature sensitivity: You may experience changes in sensitivity to temperature, such as feeling excessively cold or hot in the affected area.
• Weakness: Weakness in the muscles controlled by the damaged nerve is a common symptom. This weakness may affect your ability to perform certain movements or tasks.

Symptoms of mononeuropathy can develop gradually or suddenly. They may progress over time if the underlying cause is not addressed.

If you are experiencing persistent pain, numbness, weakness or other neurological symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor.

Common causes of mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy can be caused by various factors. The underlying cause often determines the specific symptoms and course of the condition.

Some common causes of mononeuropathy include:

• Compression: Prolonged pressure on a nerve can cause compression, leading to mononeuropathy.
• Diabetes: Diabetic neuropathy is a common cause of mononeuropathy. Elevated blood sugar levels over time can damage nerves, particularly those in the fingers and toes.
• Trauma or injury: Physical trauma, such as a direct blow, compression or stretching of a nerve, can lead to mononeuropathy.
• Tumors: Benign or malignant tumors can exert pressure on nerves, causing mononeuropathy. Tumors may originate in or near nerves, leading to compression or direct damage.
• Vitamin deficiencies: Inadequate levels of certain vitamins, particularly B vitamins like B12, can contribute to nerve damage and mononeuropathy.

In some cases, the exact cause of mononeuropathy may not be identified.

Diagnosis of mononeuropathy

Your doctor will ask about your mononeuropathy symptoms and anything that triggers or relieves them. They may also ask you about any alcohol or tobacco use, history of infections, diabetes and family history of neurological diseases.

Blood tests may be ordered to detect diabetes; vitamin deficiencies; dysfunction of the liver, thyroid or kidneys; infections or signs of abnormal immune system activity.

Your provider may also recommend nerve function and imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to identify any nerve damage.

Nerve function tests are also a valuable tool in diagnosing mononeuropathy. These tests include:

• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test: This test measures signal strength and speed along specific large motor and sensory nerves and reveals the location of nerve damage.
• Electromyography (EMG) test: For this test, tiny needles connected to electrodes are inserted into specific muscles to record their electrical activity at rest and during contraction. Test results show any abnormal muscular electrical and can help differentiate between muscle and nerve disorders.

Mononeuropathy treatment options

Mononeuropathy is a treatable condition and easily managed through therapy and medication. However, there is no way to repair the nerves.

Common treatments for mononeuropathy include:

• Acupuncture, massage and cognitive behavioral therapy to help with neuropathic pain management.
• Hand or foot braces to stabilize the muscles and nerves.
• Antidepressant medications help relieve chronic neuropathic pain.
• Orthopedic shoes to improve walking difficulties and help prevent foot injuries.
• Physical therapy to learn muscle stretching and strengthening techniques that can help with pain relief.
• Regular exercise to deliver more blood, oxygen and nutrients to nerve endings, improve muscle strength and limit muscle atrophy.

Living with mononeuropathy

Living with mononeuropathy involves adapting to the challenges posed by nerve damage to maintain a good quality of life. The specific approach may vary depending on the affected nerve and the underlying cause of mononeuropathy.

Consult with your Aurora provider to receive a comprehensive treatment plan. Regular check-ups and open communication with your care team are vital to improve your quality of life with mononeuropathy.