Sensory & Motor Changes without Pain

Nerve damage in the spine can lead to back pain as well as changes in sensory or motor skills. In this article, we are going to talk about the possible underlying causes of sensory and motor changes that present without any associated pain.

What are Sensory & Motor Changes?

Before we get any further, let’s first define our terms. When we talk about sensory and motor changes we are talking about any changes in the body’s ability to feel, function, or move properly. For example, numbness in your hand would constitute a sensory change. Similarly, loss of control over your foot (or the condition known as foot drop) would be an example of a motor change. Sensory and motor changes can often be traced back to a problem with the nerves in the spine. These nerves are responsible for transmitting sensory and motor signals between the brain and the other parts of our bodies. If an injury, or degenerative spinal condition negatively impacts a nerve in the spine, a patient may experience a loss of their sensory or motor skills in certain areas of the body.

These nerve-related sensory and motor changes are often accompanied by pain. In fact, pain is one of the most common symptoms of a nerve injury. But what if a patient experiences a sensory or motor issue in the absence of pain? What might that indicate?

Sensory Changes with No Pain

The central nervous system is very complicated, and treating nerve damage is very patient-specific. Two patients with the same injured nerve may experience completely different symptoms. The first patient may have extreme pain and no sensory changes, and the second patient might feel no pain, but have numbness in their leg. It all depends on the nerve in question and the specific patient’s circumstances. That being said, if you experience any sensory or motor changes (with or without pain) you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Nerve issues in the spine need to be addressed and treated quickly to avoid permanent damage.