Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves causing weakness, numbness, and pain — most commonly in the hands and feet.
Key Statistics
- Affects an estimated 20+ million Americans (~7% of the population)
- Diabetes is the leading cause — up to 50% of people with diabetes develop neuropathy
- Other causes: chemotherapy (CIPN), vitamin deficiencies (B12), alcohol use, autoimmune disease, hereditary (Charcot-Marie-Tooth), idiopathic (~25%)
- Annual U.S. healthcare cost: >$10 billion in diabetic neuropathy alone
Symptoms
- Burning, stabbing, or electric-shock pain
- Numbness, often in a "stocking-glove" distribution
- Tingling and prickling
- Sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
- Muscle weakness, balance problems, falls
- Foot ulcers and Charcot joint changes (advanced diabetic neuropathy)
Treatment
- Optimize underlying cause — glycemic control, B12 repletion, alcohol cessation
- Neuropathic pain medications: gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, topical lidocaine/capsaicin
- Targeted nerve decompression for entrapment-component neuropathy (Dellon procedure) — improves sensation in ~80% of selected diabetic patients
- Physical therapy and fall-prevention strategies
- Spinal cord stimulation for refractory painful diabetic neuropathy
Common Symptoms
- Burning or tingling in hands/feet
- Numbness
- Sharp electric-shock pain
- Muscle weakness
- Balance problems
- Sensitivity to light touch
Treatment Options
Medical optimization
Neuropathic pain medication coordination
Targeted nerve decompression
Spinal cord stimulation coordination
Dr. Jerry Walters II
Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
Providing expert peripheral neuropathy treatment at Nova Brain and Spine of GA in Hampton, Georgia. Serving patients throughout Southern Georgia and the Atlanta metro area.