Neuropathy

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that results when there’s damage to your peripheral nerves. These nerves provide sensations to all areas of your body outside of your spinal cord and brain.

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of neuropathy. You may also develop neuropathy-related nerve damage from:

• Trauma
• Infections
• Autoimmune disease
• Inherited conditions

Exposure to toxins and excessive use of alcohol can also cause permanent nerve damage in your peripheral nervous system.

What are the symptoms of neuropathy?

Neuropathy symptoms can vary from person to person depending on which nerves are damaged.

Your peripheral nervous system is made up of sensory nerves that provide sensations to your body; motor nerves that control your muscle movements; and autonomic nerves that control unconscious functions, like your heart rate and blood pressure.

Some of the most common symptoms of neuropathy include:

• Cold feet
• Muscle weakness
• Sensitivity to touch
• Loss of coordination
• Numbness and tingling in legs and feet

You may also experience pain that feels like a sharp, stabbing pain or a burning pain throughout your legs and feet.

Many people with diabetes-related neuropathy lose sensation in their feet, so open wounds or ulcers go unnoticed. Without treatment, these wounds can develop a serious infection that might even become life-threatening.

How is neuropathy diagnosed?

The Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico team can determine if your symptoms relate to neuropathy through a review of your medical history and a physical exam. The providers may also request blood testing to rule out vitamin deficiencies and other underlying causes of neuropathy, including diabetes.

If you have an open wound or foot ulcer, your physician also provides an evaluation to determine if you have an infection.

How is neuropathy treated?

The goal of treating neuropathy is to relieve pain and other symptoms and protect you from infections and open wounds.

Your Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico provider may recommend medications to ease your pain and relieve inflammation and antibiotics to clear infections. You may also benefit from physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and improve your mobility.

If you have diabetes-related neuropathy, your physician works with you to ensure that your condition is under control, so you can prevent additional foot complications, like diabetic ulcers and mobility issues. For existing ulcers, the team provides in-office care to promote the total healing of the wound.

To learn more about available treatments for neuropathy, call the Foot & Ankle Specialists of New Mexico office nearest you or request a consultation online today.