A pinched nerve is a condition in which a nerve experiences pressure from surrounding tissue, such as bone, ligament, or muscle. This pressure can trigger a variety of symptoms that interfere with daily activities, ranging from radiating pain and numbness to a tingling sensation or a feeling like pinpricks. In some cases, a pinched nerve can also cause muscle weakness and make certain parts of the body feel as if they have “fallen asleep.” This was the condition experienced by a patient named Nurul Hikmah, a 40-year-old woman from Penjaringan, North Jakarta.
After undergoing Arthroscopic-assisted Uni-portal Spine Surgery (AUSS) with dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS-FTB, FINSS, FINPS, FICS, a neurosurgeon at RS Mandaya Royal Puri, the tingling sensation that had been bothering her disappeared immediately.
“After the procedure, the tingling in my right hand that used to be there is gone now. Usually when I sit down, my left and right hands would feel different. Now neither hand tingles,” said the patient.
Contents
The patient’s story of living with a pinched nerve and her recovery
The patient initially experienced headaches accompanied by tingling in both hands. After undergoing an examination, she was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in her neck and underwent Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery at another hospital in December 2024. Her condition improved for a while after the surgery, but about seven months later the same complaints returned. She then underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to relieve the pain.
Unfortunately, the results of that procedure did not last long. After undergoing RFA for a second time, the headaches and tingling in her hands returned within about a month. Further examination, including electromyography (EMG), showed that a nerve was still pinched at the C5-C6 and C6-C7 vertebrae in her neck. Since she did not want to undergo another major surgery through an incision at the front of the neck, the patient began looking for a more minimally invasive treatment alternative.
Through RS Mandaya Royal Puri’s social media, the patient learned about a spine endoscopy procedure performed by dr. Christian. After consulting with him, dr. Christian recommended Arthroscopic-assisted Uni-portal Spine Surgery (AUSS). Unlike her previous surgery, which was performed from the front of the neck, the AUSS procedure is done through an approach from the back with a very small incision, without needing to cut muscle, resulting in a lower risk of bleeding and complications as well as a faster recovery process.
The patient also said she felt more at ease because the entire treatment process was explained to her in detail by dr. Christian, from the cause of her complaints, the reason for choosing the AUSS method, to the aftercare following the procedure. She even received video documentation during the operation showing the pinched nerve and how it was released. The results were immediately noticeable. The tingling sensation that previously always appeared in her right hand has now completely disappeared. Whereas before her two hands felt different when used, after undergoing AUSS both hands feel normal, with no more tingling.
dr. Christian Ariono’s explanation of the AUSS procedure
According to dr. Christian, the procedure performed on this patient was AUSS, an endoscopic spine procedure that uses a minimal incision to address pinched nerves.
“So the procedure we performed is an endoscopic spinal procedure — the one I used is AUSS, or Arthroscopic-assisted Uniportal Spinal Surgery. For this case, even though we performed a re-operation, we used a different access point. Whereas the previous one was from the front, this time I went in from the back, so it can almost be considered like a new surgery,” he said.
dr. Christian explained that using a different surgical pathway was an advantage in this case. If a second or third surgery is performed through the same access point, the procedure is usually more difficult because adhesions have already formed and the anatomical structure is no longer in its normal condition.
Furthermore, dr. Christian said that the choice of the AUSS technique was tailored to the patient’s condition. The patient’s spinal disc had already been replaced through the previous ACDF surgery, so the source of pressure was no longer coming from the front. With AUSS, the doctor can access the nerve from the back on only the side experiencing complaints, making the procedure more targeted.
“By performing AUSS, we can access it from the back on just one side according to the patient’s complaint — in this case only the right side — with a more minimal wound. We don’t need to make a large incision or cut muscle, so recovery can be faster and complications are also lower, with less bleeding as well.”
When should you be concerned about signs of a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve is a condition that should not be ignored. Pain, tingling, or numbness are actually signals from the body that a nerve is under pressure. If these complaints do not improve after simple treatment or continue for several days, you should consult a doctor promptly for further examination.
In addition, there are several conditions that require immediate medical attention, including:
- A pinched nerve causing loss of bladder or bowel control.
- Weakness in the hand making it difficult to grip objects or causing frequent dropping of items.
- Nerve weakness causing the arm or leg to suddenly lose strength or become unable to support the body.
To determine the cause of the complaint, a doctor may recommend supporting examinations such as an MRI, CT scan, or EMG to assess the condition of the nerve and identify the location of the compression. The results of these examinations will help the doctor determine the most appropriate therapy, ranging from pain relievers or corticosteroids, physiotherapy, injection procedures, to surgery for severe cases of pinched nerves that do not improve with conservative treatment.
Consult about your pinched nerve treatment with dr. Christian Ariono at RS Mandaya Puri
dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS-FTB, FINSS, FINPS, FICS is a neurosurgeon at RS Mandaya Royal Puri with expertise in treating various disorders of the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves, including minimally invasive surgical procedures for pinched nerves. He completed his general medical education at the Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, and then continued his Neurosurgery Specialist Education Program at the same faculty.
To continue improving his competency, dr. Christian also actively participates in various national and international training programs and symposiums, including the Aesculap Academy & Padjadjaran University Skullbase Cadaver Dissection Resident Course & Cerebrovascular Microanastomosis Course, the Trigeminal Neuralgia International Awareness Day Symposium, and the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Society of Neurological Surgeons held together with the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS). These various training programs have further strengthened his competency in handling neurosurgical cases using modern, evidence-based techniques.
dr. Christian Ariono, Sp.BS-FTB, FINSS, FINPS, FICS can be seen at RS Mandaya Royal Puri on:
- Monday: 08:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Tuesday: 08:00 – 12:00 WIB
- Wednesday: 08:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Thursday: 08:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Friday: 08:00 – 16:00 WIB
- Saturday: 08:00 – 16:00 WIB
To make your visit to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri easier, use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter app, which can be downloaded on Google Play and the App Store, to make visits easier, check queue numbers, and get other complete information.
The information available on this page is compiled for educational purposes and general illustration, and therefore does not reflect the full range of medical services that each doctor can provide. To ensure treatment appropriate to your health condition, it is recommended that you consult directly with the relevant doctor.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or need further information, please contact our call center at 0811-1900-2000.
References
- Cleveland Clinic. Pinched Nerve: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. Last revised June 25, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2026.
- Mayo Clinic. Pinched Nerve – Symptoms and Causes. Last revised December 21, 2023. Accessed July 17, 2026.
- Medical News Today. Pinched Nerve: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Last revised January 24, 2024. Accessed July 17, 2026.