Articles » NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS

NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page: NINDS

Main condition: Peripheral Neuropathy

Conditions: Peripheral Neuropathy

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What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a common neurological disorder resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves. It may be caused by diseases of the nerves or as the result of systemic illnesses. Many neuropathies have well-defined causes such as diabetes, uremia, AIDs, or nutritional deficiencies. In fact, diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy. Other causes include mechanical pressure such as compression or entrapment, direct trauma, penetrating injuries, contusions, fracture or dislocated bones; pressure involving the superficial nerves (ulnar, radial, or peroneal) which can result from prolonged use of crutches or staying in one position for too long, or from a tumor; intraneural hemorrhage; exposure to cold or radiation or, rarely, certain medicines or toxic substances; and vascular or collagen disorders such as atherosclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyarteritis nodosa.

A common example of entrapment neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome, which has become more common because of the increasing use of computers. Although the causes of peripheral neuropathy are diverse, they produce common symptoms including weakness, numbness, paresthesia (abnormal sensations such as burning, tickling, pricking or tingling) and pain in the arms, hands, legs and/or feet. A large number of cases are of unknown cause.

Is there any treatment?
Therapy for peripheral neuropathy differs depending on the cause. For example, therapy for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes involves control of the diabetes. In cases where a tumor or ruptured disc is the cause, therapy may involve surgery to remove the tumor or to repair the ruptured disc. In entrapment or compression neuropathy treatment may consist of splinting or surgical decompression of the ulnar or median nerves. Peroneal and radial compression neuropathies may require avoidance of pressure. Physical therapy and/or splints may be useful in preventing contractures (a condition in which shortened muscles around joints cause abnormal and sometimes painful positioning of the joints).

What is the prognosis?
Recovery from peripheral neuropathy is usually slow. Depending on the type of peripheral neuropathy, the patient may fully recover without residual effects or may partially recover and have sensory, motor, and vasomotor (blood vessel) deficits. If severely affected, the patient may develop chronic muscular atrophy.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports a broad program of research on disorders of the peripheral nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy. Much of this research is aimed at increasing the understanding of peripheral neuropathy and finding ways to prevent and cure the disorder.

 Organizations

American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org/
Tel: 916-632-0922
Fax: 916-632-3208

National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
P.O. Box 274
Millboro, VA 24460
ncpoa@cfw.com
Tel: 540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485

Neuropathy Association
60 East 42nd Street
Suite 942
New York, NY 10165-0999
info@neuropathy.org
http://www.neuropathy.org/
Tel: 212-692-0662 800-247-6968
Fax: 212-692-0668

National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain
1330 Skyline Drive
#21
Monterey, CA 93940
mgordon@mbay.net
http://www.paincare.org/
Tel: 831-655-8812
Fax: 831-655-2823

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Pain — Hope Through Research
Information booklet on pain compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892



 » Next page: NINDS Pervasive Developmental Disorders Information Page: NINDS

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