Neuropathy Specialist

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy can develop when damage occurs to the peripheral nervous system, creating abnormal nerve conduction resulting in sensory and motor dysfunction. Peripheral neuropathy may affect one nerve (mononeuropathy) or many nerves (polyneuropathy).  This chronic condition can cause symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling sensations typically in your hands and/or feet. Peripheral neuropathy can also cause muscle weakness, instability and may affect your balance. 

A variety of health conditions and injuries contribute to peripheral nerve damage, including:

• Metabolic conditions such as Diabetes
• Neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis
• Traumatic injury
• Malignancy
• Autoimmune disease
• Alcohol abuse
• Medications such as chemotherapeutics
• Infection
• Vitamin deficiency

Early diagnosis is critical to controlling your existing symptoms and preventing further damage to your peripheral nervous system. Our team at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists take your pain and symptoms seriously. We provide the treatment options you need to help you regain and maintain an active and healthy life.

What is diabetic neuropathy?

Diabetes complications cause up to 70% of all peripheral neuropathy diagnoses. High blood sugar (glucose) levels can cause damage to nerves throughout the body, most often, affecting nerves in your hands and feet. Over time, high blood glucose levels can also damage your eyes, kidneys, heart and other organ systems.

If left untreated, as your disease progresses, you can lose feeling in your hands and feet. This can lead to possible injuries and be responsible for poor wound healing. As a result, the risk of hand and foot pain, including ulcerations increases.

How is neuropathy diagnosed?

Neuropathy is generally a presumptive diagnosis based on the patient’s clinical symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.  Electrodiagnostic studies can definitively diagnose the condition by measuring the loss of nerve function.

How is neuropathy treated?

The team at Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine Specialists offer a variety of treatment options to control your peripheral neuropathy symptoms and prevent further nerve damage. Our goal is to help you improve your pain with therapies that address the underlying cause and contributing factors related to your condition.

Drs. Ghazal and Huffman have non-invasive and minimally invasive approaches to treating peripheral neuropathy in addition to medication management. Treatments can increase circulation to your hands, feet, and other affected areas of your body promoting improved tissue blood flow and better wound healing.

Your peripheral neuropathy treatment plan may include:

• Over-the-counter treatments
  • Over-the-counter pain medications
  • Topical medications
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
• Complementary and alternative treatments
  • Acupuncture
  • Biofeedback
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Ergonomics and splints
• Prescription treatments
  • Serotonin receptor modulators
  • Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs)
  • Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antiarrhythmics
  • COX-2 inhibitors
  • Topical neuropathic compounded gels and creams
  • Corticosteroids
• Minimally invasive techniques
  • Peripheral nerve blocks
• Implantable therapies
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
  • Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation (DRG)
  • Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
  • Intrathecal Drug Delivery System (IDDS)

If you suffer from chronic and intractable nerve pain related to peripheral neuropathy and would like Drs. Huffman and Ghazal to help you improve your painful symptoms, quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADL’s), call the IPRMS office today or schedule an appointment online.