Neuropathy is a nerve condition in which sensation or numbness are altered. Peripheral Neuropathy causes symptoms in the arms or legs.
Trauma to the body can result in acquired neuropathy neuropathy, as can certain diseases such as Diabetes.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
- Pain
- Altered sensations
- Numbness
- Tingling or “pins-and-needles;” prickling sensation
- Weakness
- Inability to bear weight, such as standing or walking
- Temperature sensations like burning
Neuropathy can be degenerative; symptoms become increasingly painful or change. Damage can be permanent where improvement is no longer achievable. However, Regenerative Medicine is offering new treatments that might cause the nerves to regrow and restore some sensation.
What is neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a term for damage to one or more of your nerves or the effects of certain nerve diseases.
There are several types, including mononeuropathy, which affects a single nerve, and peripheral neuropathy, which causes symptoms in places like your arms or legs.
As well as pain, neuropathy can produce other altered sensations, including numbness, tingling or “pins-and-needles,” weakness, and burning or prickling feelings.
What causes acquired neuropathy?
Surgery and trauma are two causes of acquired neuropathy.
Neuropathy may result from nerve compression or irritation or a malfunction in the nerve that causes it to transmit pain signals even when there’s no physical damage.
When an accident injury results in neuropathy it is called “acquired neuropathy.”
“Physical injury (trauma) is the most common cause of acquired single-nerve injury…
“Injury from automobile accidents, falls, sports, and medical procedures can stretch, crush, or compress nerves, or detach them from the spinal cord.”
–Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH
Litigation and Causation
Motor vehicle accidents, or other events where the body is subject to movement, can cause the spine to flex. If there is a spinal cord injury, neuropathy is one possible outcome. Dr. Singla finds an EMG, or EMG records, are assistive in her IME and opinions if neuropathy is believed to be present. This condition has the potential for impairment to mobility and quality of life. Dr. Singla evaluates a litigant’s symptoms, diagnoses, treatment and prognosis so she can help an attorney, judge or jury to understand the condition, possible causation and examinee’s future living with neuropathy.
Can a disease, rather than an injury, cause peripheral neuropathy?
Diseases associated with peripheral neuropathy:
- Diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy)
- Alcoholism
- Autoimmune disorders
- Inherited conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia)
Spinal cord stimulation can help to alleviate the symptoms of pins and needles in the feet and some patients are finding restoration of their neurological symptoms. There are several types, including mononeuropathy, which affects a single nerve, and peripheral neuropathy, which causes symptoms in places like your arms or legs. As well as pain, neuropathy can produce other altered sensations, including numbness, tingling or “pins-and-needles,” weakness, and burning or prickling feelings.
More reading Neuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Cleveland Clinic
What methods are used to diagnose neuropathy?
In this image, Neuropathy is diagnosed using Electromyography (EMG) or a Nerve Conduction Velocity Study. The doctor in this photo is preparing a nerve conduction test on a woman’s hand.
Dr. Singla finds an EMG, or EMG records, can be assistive in her IME and opinions if neuropathy is believed to be present. Any nerve condition is serious and, in the case of Neuropathy, the condition has the potential for impairment to mobility and quality of life.
Dr. Singla evaluates a litigant’s symptoms, diagnoses, treatment and prognosis so she can help an attorney, judge or jury to understand the condition, possible causation and examinee’s future living with neuropathy.
