The NHS has issued a warning to anyone who experiences pins and needles. This is what you need to know:
While a simple "pins and needles" sensation can be normal, sometimes it can be a sign of a serious condition. If you experience unusual sensations combined with muscle pain, especially if it's intense or feels like a burning ache, you should not ignore it.
These symptoms, particularly if they get worse with movement, might indicate compartment syndrome. This is a condition where pressure builds up inside a muscle, restricting blood flow and causing pain.
Compartment syndrome can happen in any muscle, but it is most often seen in the lower legs and forearms. Key symptoms include a deep, burning ache in the muscle, swelling, numbness, or difficulty moving the affected body part.
The condition can be either sudden (acute) or gradual (chronic). Acute cases often follow an injury or a tight cast and require immediate emergency treatment.
If you experience sudden, severe pain in any part of your body, you must call 999 for emergency help. Acute compartment syndrome may require emergency surgery (a fasciotomy) to relieve the dangerous pressure.
If you repeatedly get pain, numbness, or swelling when you exercise, but it eases with rest, this is likely chronic compartment syndrome. You should see a GP for a diagnosis, as this type often does not need urgent surgery.
The NHS noted that severe pain is pain that is always present. It makes it hard to think or sleep, and prevents you from moving easily for daily tasks like washing or dressing.
If your GP suspects compartment syndrome, they may send you for tests like an X-ray or MRI. The most specific test is the compartment pressure measurement, where a needle is inserted into your muscle to measure the pressure before and after exercise. This helps confirm if the pressure is dangerously high.
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