Peripheral Neuropathy

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy, sometimes shortened to neuropathy, results from damage to the peripheral nervous system, the network of nerve fibers that convey sensory, motor or autonomic information between the central nervous system (brain or spinal cord) and the peripheral body parts (eyes, face, arms, legs, and internal organs).

There are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, making precise diagnosis and specific treatment of these separate conditions challenging.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

The symptoms are numerous and non-specific and include:

Muscle weakness, twitching, or cramping
Loss of coordination in arms or legs
Numbness, loss of sensation or feeling
Loss of balance and falls
Prickling, tingling, burning sensation
Sharp, shooting or dull pain, and/or hypersensitivity to touch
Painless ulcers and amputations
Foot deformities
Digestive, urinary, and sexual dysfunction
Dizziness, heat intolerance

UR Medicine's Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy

UR Medicine has teams of neurologists and neurosurgeons dedicated specifically to diagnosing and treating peripheral neuropathy.

Advanced testing includes state-of-the-art electrodiagnostic testing; ultrasound; and nerve, skin, or muscle biopsy. Our specialists have expertise in treating all types of neuropathies, including:

Toxic, nutritional, metabolic, or endocrine neuropathies
Inflammatory or demyelinating neuropathies
Inherited neuropathies
Small fiber sensory neuropathies
Paraneoplastic neuropathies
Focal mononeuropathies, plexopathies, and radiculopathies

Specific Conditions We Treat

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (e.g., Guillain-Barré syndrome)
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (e.g., CIDP)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary neuropathies including amyloid neuropathy)
Nutritional neuropathies (e.g., thiamine, folate, B6, B12, copper deficiency)
Toxic neuropathies (e.g., chemotherapeutic drugs, alcohol)
Diabetic neuropathies
Various focal neuropathies—carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, radial neuropathy (e.g., Saturday night palsy), fibular neuropathy (cross leg palsy), sciatic neuropathy, tarsal tunnel syndrome, meralgia paresthetica, etc.
Brachial plexopathy (e.g., neuralgic amyotrophy, thoracic outlet syndrome)
Lumbosacral plexopathies
Peripheral nerve tumors—malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), neurofibroma, schwannoma

We offer disease modifying therapies including immune therapies (e.g., intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, plasmapheresis, various chemotherapeutic regimens), and symptomatic treatments, including neuropathic pain medications; physical and occupational therapy; and orthotic assessments.

For severe focal injuries, our neurosurgeons are experts in a range of procedures, including:

Cervical decompressive spine surgery
Lumbosacral decompressive spine surgery
Brachial plexus surgery (e.g., repair, grafting, thoracic outlet surgery)
Carpal and cubital tunnel release
Nerve repair and grafting
Nerve sheath tumor removal

What Sets Us Apart?

Our neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, nurse practitioners, electrodiagnostic and ultrasound technicians, physical therapists, and neuro-pain management specialists treat even the rarest conditions.

Our Neuromuscular Disease team has earned “exemplary status” from the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, the highest level of accreditation.

We focus on holistic care and wellness while specializing in non-surgical and surgical treatment options.

We also emphasize patient comfort and convenience. We’ve refined our scheduling system so you can get evaluated and receive testing on the same day.