What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often causing burning, tingling, numbness or pain in the feet and hands. Diabetes is the most common cause. Small fiber neuropathy affects the tiny nerves for pain and temperature and may not show on standard nerve tests.
Common signs
- Burning, tingling or numbness in the feet or hands
- Diabetic nerve pain
- Small fiber neuropathy
How it's evaluated and treated
Evaluation looks for the cause with blood tests and nerve testing, sometimes a skin biopsy for small fiber neuropathy. Treatment includes controlling the cause, medicines for nerve pain, foot care, therapy, and for painful diabetic neuropathy that doesn't respond, spinal cord stimulation.
Recovery and outlook
Many people get meaningful relief, though nerve damage may not fully reverse.
When to get help now
Check your feet daily if you have numbness; see a doctor promptly for sores that don't heal.
Related care
Where to get care at Specialty Medical Center
Our interventional pain physicians see patients in Dearborn, Sterling Heights (15 Mile and Schoenherr Rd), Garden City and Pontiac, with online booking in Dearborn and Sterling Heights. Part of Specialty Pain Management.
Eduardo José Otero Loperena, MDInterventional pain medicine
Mohamed Osman, MDPain management
Aaron Greenberg, DOPhysical medicine and rehabilitationWho performs procedures, and where:
- Dr. Eduardo José Otero: Universal Care Surgery Center
- Dr. Mohamed Osman and Dr. Aaron Greenberg: Universal Care Surgery Center and Advanced Surgery Center
- Dr. Roy Torcuator: Advanced Surgery Center and Garden City Hospital
Office injections are done in our offices. Your physician confirms who performs your procedure, and where, at your consultation.
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This page gives general information. Your physician will explain whether a treatment fits you, its risks and the alternatives.
