What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when you injure or damage the network of nerves extending from your spinal cord. These nerves carry the signals that allow you to move and feel. Peripheral nerves extend from your spine and cranial nerves extend from your brain. Peripheral neuropathy means loss of nerve function. Anyone can develop neuropathy, but specific factors may increase your risk of getting the condition.
What Type of Specialist Treats Peripheral Neuropathy?
Many types of providers work together to treat peripheral neuropathy at University of Utah Health. Neurologists and physiatrists (physical rehabilitation providers) diagnose and offer nonsurgical treatment options.
Neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and orthopedic surgeons may also play a role in your care if you need surgery. They perform the following peripheral nerve surgeries to improve your function, pain, and quality of life:
- Nerve reconstruction
- Stimulator implantation
- Decompression surgeries (to remove pressure from nerves)
Find a Peripheral Neuropathy Specialist
Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms
Peripheral neuropathy symptoms vary based on which nerves and parts of your body are affected by the condition. Your symptoms may mimic other health conditions. You should schedule a visit with your health care provider immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Motor Neuropathy Symptoms
- Atrophy (loss of muscle tissue)
- Cramps
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Twitches
Sensory Neuropathy Symptoms
- Burning, stabbing, or shooting pain
- Clumsiness
- Inability to feel heat or cold
- Loss of sensation in body parts
- Numbness and tingling
Autonomic Nerve Neuropathy Symptoms
- Blood pressure changes
- Blurry vision
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Loss of bladder control
- Sweating too much or too little
- Sexual dysfunction
- Skin color changes
Peripheral Neuropathy & Fatigue
Fatigue isn’t a direct symptom of peripheral neuropathy; however, it may be a complication of the condition. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms can interrupt your sleep. You may also experience fatigue from other underlying conditions that cause your peripheral neuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy Causes
Unmanaged type 2 diabetes damages your nerves over time. This makes it the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy.
Various other conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy:
- Autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis
- Cancerous or noncancerous tumors
- Chemotherapy
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Excessive alcohol use over a long period of time
- Exposure to heavy metals and toxins
- Genetic conditions like amyloidosis or Fabry disease
- Repetitive motions in your arms and legs
- Trauma or surgery
- Vascular disorders
- Viral or bacterial infections, like shingles or Lyme disease
Peripheral neuropathy can also be idiopathic, meaning physicians don’t know what causes it.
Peripheral Neuropathy Tests & Diagnosis
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your provider will take several steps to diagnose peripheral neuropathy:
- Take your medical history
- Conduct neurological tests to identify the location and extent of the nerve damage
- Assess your ability to detect vibrations
- Test your muscle strength
How to Test for Peripheral Neuropathy
Your provider may order additional tests to better diagnose your condition:
- Blood tests to look for immune system problems
- Spinal fluid tests to look for infection or inflammation
- Scans to get a detailed view of your nerve damage, including:
Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment
Some forms of peripheral neuropathy can't be reversed with treatment. However, your provider may be able to decrease your symptoms or treat the root cause of your peripheral neuropathy to keep the condition from worsening.
Medication for Peripheral Neuropathy
Most people need prescription medication to control their symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help in some cases. Your provider may also recommend patches, creams, or injections of lidocaine (a type of anesthetic that dulls the pain).
Peripheral Neuropathy Therapies
Nonsurgical therapies may help reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms:
- Physical therapy improves your movement and strength. Your physical therapist may also recommend hand or foot braces, prescription footwear, or an assistive device like a cane or walker.
- Plasmapheresis (plasma therapy) uses your own plasma (colorless fluid in blood) to suppress your immune system. Plasma therapy helps decrease peripheral neuropathy associated with some inflammatory conditions.
Your nerve health relies on certain vitamins. But some conditions may prevent your body from absorbing these vitamins. Talk to your provider about available treatments.
How to Help Peripheral Neuropathy at Night
People with peripheral neuropathy often notice pain more at night. We recommend exercise during the day to help reduce your discomfort. Physical activity promotes blood flow to your hands and feet, which may reduce pain.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Surgery repairs injured nerves or destroy nerves that are causing neuropathy symptoms. Surgery is also an option if pressure from a tumor, thickened tendons, or other structures in your body cause your neuropathy.
In some cases, a peripheral nerve or spinal cord stimulator may be a treatment option. These devices deliver a gentle current that relieves pain in most patients.
Can You Reverse Peripheral Neuropathy?
Improvement in peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. Some conditions have an excellent opportunity to heal. In severe cases, peripheral neuropathy overwhelms the nerves’ ability to recover. It’s essential you have a team of providers that can provide an accurate and timely diagnosis. Together, they'll offer you the full range of options to help improve your quality of life.
Refer a Patient for Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral nerve problems require the expertise of multiple specialists. Our neurologists and physical medicine and rehabilitation providers diagnose problems, while orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and plastic and reconstructive surgeons fix nerve problems. Please ask your provider to send a referral and any clinical documentation or film studies.