Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
Alternative names Return to top
Neuropathy - isolatedDefinition Return to top
Mononeuropathy involves loss of movement or sensation to an area caused by damage to a single nerve or nerve group.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Mononeuropathy involves damage or destruction of an isolated nerve or nerve group. It is a type of peripheral neuropathy (damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
Mononeuropathy is most often caused by damage to a local area resulting from injury or trauma, although occasionally systemic disorders may cause isolated nerve damage (as with mononeuritis multiplex). The usual causes are direct trauma, prolonged pressure on the nerve, and compression of the nerve by swelling or injury to nearby body structures.
The damage includes destruction of the myelin sheath (covering) of the nerve or of part of the nerve cell (the axon). This damage slows or prevents conduction of impulses through the nerve.
Mononeuropathy may involve any part of the body. Some of the common forms of mononeuropathy include:
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Neuromuscular examination of the affected area may indicate which nerve is involved. Reflexes may be abnormal in the area. Symptoms are isolated to one nerve area.Treatment Return to top
Treatment is aimed at maximizing the ability to use the affected body part. The cause should be identified and treated as appropriate. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery is spontaneous. Vascular lesions (injuries to an artery) can often affect a single nerve, and in these cases the cause of the vasculopathy (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) should be treated.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Mononeuropathy is rarely fatal, but it may be disabling and painful. If the cause of the nerve dysfunction can be identified and successfully treated, there is a possibility of full recovery.
The extent of disability varies from no disability to partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be quite uncomfortable and persist for a prolonged period of time.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if symptoms of nerve dysfunction are present. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chance of controlling symptoms.Prevention Return to top
Avoiding pressure or traumatic injury may prevent many forms of mononeuropathy. Treating underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes also decreases risk of developing the condition. Update Date: 7/20/2004 Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |