Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve damage that is focused on the outside of the brain and near the peripheral nerves also known as the spinal cord. This can impact hand and feet circulation, and create weakness, numbness, or pain.

Overview

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that takes place with damaged nerves from the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, reaching out across the network of central nerves to all other parts of the body.  These nerves are responsible for providing movement and sensation in the body and can often impact the hands, arms, legs, feet, mouth, face, or organs. Our goal at BEST Health System is to educate and inform our patients about their conditions to take the most effective course of action possible. To learn more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and surgical options for peripheral neuropathy continue reading this guide.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

Many factors contribute to neuropathy conditions in the body and disrupt the nerve’s normal functioning. Causes may include: 

 

  • Alcohol abuse
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Kidney, liver or thyroid disease
  • Physical injury 
  • Physical trauma
  • Repetitive stress or pressure
  • Some medications
  • Tumors
  • Viral or bacterial infections

Treatment Options

At BEST we have multiple conservative options for peripheral neuropathy treatment depending on your specific condition and symptoms. After your doctor performs a physical exam and learns more about your medical history, they might serve other tests to finalize their diagnosis. Depending on your level of neuropathy, whether it is mild-to-moderate symptoms, treatment may include the following: 

  • Diagnostic Imagery. Our doctors will administer an MRI, X-Ray, or EMG/NCV to determine the cause of the pain.
  • Conservative Treatment. The doctor will create a conservative treatment plan consisting of physical therapy, pain medications, and/or a TENs unit.
  • Injections. The doctor will administer steroid injections at the site of the neuropathic pain.
  • Ablation Therapy. Ablation therapy can help to block irregular pain signals from being sent to the brain.

Surgical Options

Occasionally, conservative treatments for peripheral neuropathy are ineffective or do not provide enough relief. If this is the case you may want to consider surgical intervention.

BEST is proud to offer a modern solution for patients struggling with peripheral neuropathy. A spinal cord stimulator is a surgically implanted device that delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses can then block pain signals from being sent to the brain. This allows neuropathy patients to manage neuropathy-related discomfort. 

Symptoms

Depending on the type of peripheral neuropathy you may have, there is a range of symptoms that may appear in the body. 

Mononeuropathy: symptoms may damage a single nerve, such as any cranial nerve, a spinal nerve or a nerve brand resulting in motor or sensory impairment in the hands, arms or feet. Some patients experience specific conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or cubital tunnel syndrome. 

Sensory and motor forms of peripheral neuropathy systems also may appear: 

 

  • Difficulty lifting the feet 
  • Loss of balance 
  • Inability to grasp objects
  • A knot in palms or feet
  • Muscle cramps or spasms
  • Muscle thinning 
  • Muscle weakness or paralysis
  • Pins and needles in focalized parts of the body
  • Sharp pain in the feet

FAQs

What are common risk factors that can lead to peripheral neuropathy?

People who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, hereditary factors, or who engage in alcohol or drug abuse, are all at risk for peripheral neuropathy. Patients who have experienced bodily trauma may also be at risk for nerve damage leading to peripheral neuropathy.

If I have a pinched nerve does this mean I have peripheral neuropathy?

Pinched nerves can cause pain, numbness or tingling that causes a prickling sensation from time to time. If you notice frequent bursts of pain, tingling or numbness that persists it is important to see a doctor to rule out a serious condition such as peripheral neuropathy. Always get checked by a doctor if you are experiencing any type of pain or unusual symptoms

Will peripheral neuropathy be covered by my insurance provider?

We accept most insurances, but if you’re curious if we take your particular plan, please give us a call to learn more.