Neuropathy

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy develops when one or more nerves become damaged or stop functioning normally. Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord and commonly involves the feet, legs, hands, or arms.

Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. Patients often describe problems such as:

• Burning
• Shooting
• Tingling
• Prickling
• Electric-shock-like pain

Some people experience numbness or allodynia (extreme sensitivity to touch) instead of (or in addition to) pain.

Why does nerve damage occur?

Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy, particularly in the feet and legs. Persistently high blood glucose can damage nerves over time, sometimes leading to pain and reduced sensation.

Other possible causes include the following:

• Physical injuries
• Pressure on nerves
• Certain medications
• Chemotherapy
• Autoimmune disorders
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Kidney or liver disease
• Infections
• Inherited neurological conditions

Sometimes neuropathy is idiopathic, meaning doctors can’t identify a definite cause.

How do doctors investigate neuropathy?

Dr. Manocha begins by asking about the location and character of your symptoms, when they started, and whether they’re constant or intermittent. He also reviews medical conditions, medications, previous treatments, and possible risk factors for nerve damage.

Depending on the suspected cause, further evaluation can include one or more of the following:

• Blood tests
• Nerve conduction studies
• Electromyography (EMG)
• X-ray imaging
• CT or MRI scans

Identifying an underlying condition matters because treating it may prevent further nerve damage and sometimes allows damaged nerves to recover.

What treatments relieve neuropathic pain?

Treatment varies according to the cause and severity of your neuropathy. Managing an underlying condition is an important first step. For example, controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent diabetic neuropathy from progressing.

Medicines used for neuropathic pain may include certain antiseizure medications and antidepressants, which can alter the way pain signals travel through the nervous system. Physical therapy can help when neuropathy causes weakness or balance problems.

For persistent neuropathic pain that hasn’t responded adequately to more conservative treatments, options include:

Radiofrequency ablation

Mainly for spinal and knee pain, radiofrequency ablation destroys the nerves transmitting chronic pain to the central nervous system.

Spinal cord stimulation

A spinal cord stimulator uses mild electrical impulses to interfere with pain signals before they reach the brain.

If burning, tingling, numbness, or nerve pain is interfering with your daily activities, call Interventional Pain Center to schedule a neuropathy evaluation or use the online form to book an appointment today.