When nerves are diseased

Nerves in your feet carry signals to your brain. Your brain reads those signals and interprets them as sensations. When nerves in your feet are diseased, signals may be disrupted or changed. The result may be a lack of feeling (numbness) in your feet or other symptoms, such as tingling or pain.

Symptoms mask pain

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy usually start in your toes. The symptoms may spread up your feet and legs as more nerve is affected. These symptoms may decrease sensation in your feet or mask pain. Without pain, you may not notice a cut or even a bone fracture. Cuts may become infected. Fractures may heal poorly and lead to foot deformity.

Peripheral neuropathy symptoms often start in the toes and move up the foot.

Common causes of peripheral neuropathy

Some common causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Diabetes or other endocrine disorders

• Toxins such as alcohol

• Nutritional problems such as a lack of vitamin B-12

• Kidney disease

• Injury

• Repetitive stress such as carpal tunnel syndrome

• Autoimmune disease

• Cancer and tumors

• Chemotherapy cancer treatment

• Hereditary disorders

• Nervous system disorders

• Infection

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy includes a complete health history and physical exam. Blood tests and imaging tests often help find the cause. Special nerve tests are often helpful. These include nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) and electromyography (EMG). NCV looks to see how well nerve signals are conducted. EMG helps tell whether symptoms are caused by muscle or nerve disorders. Genetic tests can be done if your healthcare provider suspects a hereditary neuropathy.

Treatment focuses on treating the underlying disorder and treating the symptoms. Treatment can include medicines, injections, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), acupuncture, and massage.