Our Foot and Ankle Services

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage caused by diabetes. When it affects the arms, hands, legs and feet, it is known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is different from peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation), which affects the blood vessels rather than the nerves.

Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

The nerve damage that characterizes diabetic peripheral neuropathy is more common in patients with poorly managed diabetes. However, even patients living with diabetes who have excellent blood sugar (glucose) control can develop diabetic neuropathy. There are several theories as to why this occurs, including the possibilities that high blood glucose or constricted blood vessels produce damage to the nerves.

Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Becoming diagnosied with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy may go as follows:

Obtain the patient’s history of symptoms

Perform simple in-office tests on the feet and legs.

Assess the patient’s reflexes

Assess if patient can feel light touch

Assess if patient can feel vibrations

Nerve Groups Affected By Peripheral Neuropathy

• Sensory Nerves: Enable people to feel pain, temperature and other sensations
• Motor nerves: Control the muscles and give them their strength and tone
• Autonomic nerves: Allow the body to perform certain involuntary functions, such as sweating

Common Sensory Neuropathy Symptoms

For sensory neuropathy:

Numbness or tingling in the feet

Pain or discomfort in the feet or legs, including prickly, sharp pain or burning feet

Common Motor Neuropathy Symptoms

For motor neuropathy:

Muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone in the feet and lower legs

Loss of balance

Changes in foot shape that can lead to areas of increased pressure

Common Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms

For autonomic neuropathy:

Dry feet

Cracked skin

Treatments

Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Work to achieve healthy blood sugar levels.

Medication

Medications to relieve tingling/burning symptoms.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy to help reduce balance problems or other symptoms.

Prevention of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Keep control of healthy blood sugar levels.
Wear well-fitting shoes to avoid getting sores.
Inspect your feet every day. If you notice any cuts, redness, blisters or swelling, see your foot and ankle surgeon right away. This can prevent problems from becoming worse.
Visit your foot and ankle surgeon on a regular basis for an examination to help prevent the foot complications of diabetes.
Have periodic visits with your primary care physician or endocrinologist. The foot and ankle surgeon works together with these and other providers to prevent and treat complications from diabetes.