Neuropathy

What is neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It most often affects the feet and hands in a "stocking-and-glove" pattern, producing burning or electric pain, pins-and-needles, numbness, sensitivity to touch, and sometimes weakness or balance problems.

What causes neuropathy?

Diabetes is the most common cause in the United States, but neuropathy can also follow chemotherapy, shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease, alcohol use, autoimmune conditions, and nerve entrapment or injury. Identifying the cause matters, because treating it can slow or stop further nerve damage.

How is painful neuropathy treated?

Treatment combines management of the underlying cause with medications designed for nerve pain. When pain persists despite optimized medication, interventional options come into play: spinal cord stimulation is FDA-approved for painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and has strong clinical evidence behind it, and peripheral nerve stimulation can target pain confined to a single nerve's territory. Dr. Eaddy will walk you through whether a stimulator trial makes sense for your pattern of pain.