Neuropathy Specialist

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a neurological condition causing nerve damage and associated pain, often in your hands and feet, and can progress over time. These damaged nerves transmit pain signals from your hands or feet to your spinal cord and ultimately to your brain.

The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system.

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

Common symptoms you may notice with peripheral neuropathy include:

• Sharp pain
• Throbbing or jabbing discomfort
• Burning pain
• Numbness
• Prickling 
• Tingling
• Touch sensitivity
• Muscle weakness
• Lack of coordination
• Feeling like you’re wearing socks or gloves

Complications may occur with untreated neuropathy, including paralysis, frequent falls, infections, open wounds, or other skin injuries.

What are the risk factors for neuropathy?

Anyone can experience neuropathy, but some factors increase your risk. Examples include:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Other autoimmune diseases
• Infections
• Inherited disorders
• Bone marrow disorders
• Tumors
• Thyroid problems
• Kidney failure
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Toxin exposure
• Alcoholism
• Injuries
• Some medications
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Family history of neuropathy

To decrease your risk of neuropathy, adopt healthy habits. Eat nutritious foods, get regular exercise, maintain a healthy weight, properly control diabetes if you have it, don’t smoke, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. 

How does my doctor diagnose neuropathy?

To determine if you have peripheral neuropathy or other forms of neuropathy, your pain specialist discusses your symptoms, reviews your medical history, checks your vital signs, and completes a physical exam that includes a neurological evaluation. 

Your provider might recommend you undergo blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or other imaging procedures, as well as nerve function tests and nerve or skin biopsies to make a final diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

How is neuropathy treated?

Your personalized treatment for neuropathy might include:

• Adopting healthy habits
• Topical medications
• Oral medicines
• Acupuncture
• Dietary supplements
• Physical therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS)
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Plasma exchange 
• Surgery

You may need more than one type of neuropathy treatment to ensure the best possible results. Your pain specialist can make changes to your treatment plan if necessary. Your provider at Innovative Pain Specialists focuses on avoiding opioids and other medications as much as possible in favor of noninvasive, holistic treatments.

If you have neuropathy and want symptom relief, call the nearest Innovative Pain Specialists office or schedule an appointment online today.