Nerve Pain Diagnosis Sydney | Arm & Leg Nerve Pain Testing | East Neurology

Nerve Pain Diagnosis Sydney

Expert Testing for Arm Pain, Leg Nerve Pain & Neuropathic Pain

Understanding Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain)

Nerve pain, also called neuropathic pain, occurs when nerves themselves are damaged or malfunctioning. Unlike normal pain from an injury (like cutting your finger), nerve pain arises from the nervous system itself sending abnormal pain signals. This creates unique sensations that many describe as burning, shooting, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain.

Why is nerve pain different? Normal pain warns us about tissue damage and goes away when healing occurs. Nerve pain persists because the nerve itself is damaged, sending pain signals even without ongoing injury. This is why nerve pain often doesn't respond well to regular painkillers and requires specialized diagnosis and treatment.

Types of Nerve Pain We Diagnose

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Burning Pain

Constant or intermittent burning sensation in arms, legs, hands, or feet. Often described as feeling like skin is on fire or sunburned without any visible injury.

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Shooting/Electric Pain

Sharp, stabbing pain that shoots along a nerve pathway. Feels like electric shocks running down the arm or leg, often sudden and severe.

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Sharp Stabbing Pain

Sudden, intense lancinating pain that comes and goes. Like being stabbed with ice picks or needles repeatedly.

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Cold/Ice-like Pain

Sensation of intense cold or ice water running through affected areas, even when the temperature is normal.

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Hypersensitivity (Allodynia)

Normal touch becomes painful. Even light contact like clothing or bedsheets causes significant pain.

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Radiating Pain

Pain that travels along nerve pathways, often from the spine down the arms or legs following specific nerve distributions.

Common Conditions Causing Nerve Pain

Arm & Hand Nerve Pain

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Median nerve compression causing burning, tingling, and pain in thumb, index, and middle fingers. Worse at night.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Ulnar nerve compression at elbow causing pain and numbness in pinky and ring fingers, elbow pain.

Cervical Radiculopathy

Pinched nerve in neck causing shooting pain down the arm, often with weakness and numbness in specific patterns.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Nerve compression between collarbone and first rib causing arm pain, numbness, and weakness.

Leg & Foot Nerve Pain

Sciatica

Sciatic nerve irritation causing sharp, shooting pain from lower back through buttock and down the leg.

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Pinched nerve in lower back causing radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness in specific leg areas.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve damage in feet and legs causing burning, tingling, numbness. Common in diabetes.

Peroneal Nerve Compression

Nerve compression at knee causing foot drop, numbness over top of foot and outer lower leg.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Nerve compression at ankle causing burning pain and numbness in sole of foot.

Meralgia Paresthetica

Lateral cutaneous nerve compression causing burning, tingling on outer thigh.

How We Diagnose Your Nerve Pain

Accurate diagnosis is crucial because different types of nerve pain require different treatments. Our comprehensive approach identifies the exact cause of your pain.

Detailed History

Understanding your pain characteristics, location, triggers, and associated symptoms.

Neurological Exam

Testing sensation, strength, reflexes, and identifying the nerve distribution involved.

Nerve Conduction Study

Measuring electrical signals in nerves to identify compression sites, nerve damage, or dysfunction.

EMG (If Needed)

Testing muscle response to identify nerve damage patterns and rule out muscle disorders.

Diagnosis & Plan

Immediate discussion of findings with treatment recommendations and specialist referrals if needed.

Treatment Options for Nerve Pain

Treatment depends on the underlying cause identified through nerve conduction testing. Options include:

Medications

Nerve pain medications (gabapentin, pregabalin)
Antidepressants for nerve pain (amitriptyline, duloxetine)
Topical treatments (lidocaine patches, capsaicin cream)
Anti-inflammatory medications

Physical Interventions

Physical therapy and nerve gliding exercises
Bracing or splinting for nerve compression
Ergonomic modifications
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

Injections

Corticosteroid injections for inflammation
Nerve blocks for pain management
Epidural steroid injections for radiculopathy

Surgical Options

Nerve decompression surgery
Discectomy for herniated discs
Spinal decompression procedures
Carpal or cubital tunnel release

Lifestyle & Management

Blood sugar control for diabetic neuropathy
Nutritional supplements (B vitamins)
Weight management
Activity modification
Pain management psychology

Advanced Therapies

Spinal cord stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation
Pain clinic referral for complex cases
Multidisciplinary pain management

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my pain is nerve pain or something else? +

Nerve pain has distinctive characteristics: burning, shooting, or electric shock-like sensations, numbness or tingling, pain that follows specific nerve pathways, hypersensitivity to touch, and often worse at night. If you experience these symptoms, nerve conduction testing can definitively identify nerve involvement.

Will nerve conduction testing identify the cause of my pain? +

Nerve conduction studies can identify nerve compression, nerve damage, and patterns of nerve dysfunction. This helps pinpoint conditions like carpal tunnel, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy. However, some nerve pain (like small fiber neuropathy) may require additional testing beyond standard nerve conduction studies.

Why don't regular painkillers work for my nerve pain? +

Regular painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen work on inflammatory pain, not nerve pain. Nerve pain requires specific medications that work on nerve signaling, such as gabapentin, pregabalin, or certain antidepressants. Getting the right diagnosis helps ensure you receive appropriate medication.

Is nerve pain permanent? +

Not necessarily. If the underlying cause (like nerve compression) is identified and treated early, nerve pain can improve or resolve completely. However, long-standing nerve damage may cause persistent symptoms. This is why early diagnosis through nerve conduction testing is important.

How long does nerve pain testing take? +

A comprehensive nerve pain evaluation including nerve conduction studies typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on which nerves need testing. You receive results and diagnosis immediately, with a detailed report sent to your doctor the same day.

Can stress or anxiety cause nerve pain? +

While stress and anxiety can worsen pain perception, true nerve pain results from actual nerve damage or dysfunction. However, chronic pain can certainly cause stress and anxiety, creating a cycle. Nerve conduction testing helps distinguish between neuropathic pain and pain related to psychological factors.

What should I do before my nerve pain diagnostic appointment? +

Keep a pain diary noting when pain occurs, what makes it better or worse, and the character of the pain. Continue all regular medications. Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Bring a list of medications, any relevant imaging results, and your referral.

Why Choose East Neurology?

Expert Neurologists

Specialized in diagnosing and managing complex nerve pain conditions with years of experience.

Same-Day Results

Immediate discussion of findings and treatment recommendations. No waiting weeks for answers.

Comprehensive Testing

State-of-the-art nerve conduction equipment with detailed analysis of multiple nerve pathways.

Fast Appointments

Regular testing availability Tuesday-Thursday. Most other practices have 4-6 week wait times.

Stop Living With Unexplained Nerve Pain

Get answers and start your path to relief • Expert diagnosis • Same-day results

Book Your Diagnostic Test

Call Us 02 9388 0615

Location Suite 301, Bondi Junction

Email reception@eastneurology.com.au