A pinched nerve typically does not directly cause a fever. Fever usually signals a broader systemic issue, such as an infection or inflammation.
What is a Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues exert pressure on a nerve. These tissues can include bone, cartilage, muscle, or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s normal function, leading to various symptoms in the area supplied by the affected nerve.
Common symptoms of a pinched nerve include sharp, aching, or burning pain that may radiate outward. Individuals might also experience numbness, tingling sensations (often described as “pins and needles”), or muscle weakness in the affected region. Pinched nerves frequently occur in areas like the neck (cervical radiculopathy), lower back (lumbar radiculopathy), and wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome). Causes can range from a herniated disc or bone spurs to repetitive motions, injuries, or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and obesity.
Understanding Fever
Fever is an elevated body temperature, which indicates that the body is actively combating an illness or infection. It functions as a symptom rather than a disease itself.
Common causes of fever include viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, and bacterial infections, like strep throat or urinary tract infections. Inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and certain medications can also lead to a fever.
Pinched Nerves, Fever, and When to Seek Care
If both a pinched nerve and a fever are present, it suggests an underlying condition is causing both symptoms. This indicates a systemic issue that warrants prompt medical evaluation.
Conditions that can lead to both nerve compression and fever often involve infection or widespread inflammation. Examples include infections of the spine, such as discitis (inflammation of the disc space) or osteomyelitis (bone infection), which can directly compress nerves and trigger a systemic fever. Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation that leads to nerve compression while also causing body-wide fever. In rare instances, tumors can also cause nerve impingement and systemic symptoms like fever.
When a fever accompanies symptoms of a pinched nerve, it requires immediate medical attention. Specific instances that necessitate urgent care include a high fever, sudden onset of severe weakness or numbness, or any changes in bowel or bladder function. Rapidly worsening symptoms, or nerve pain that does not improve with conservative treatment, also indicate a need for urgent assessment to prevent potential permanent nerve damage.