Neuropathy that is focused to one limb or more limb is often related arthritic changes of the spine that compress the existing nerve roots. This compression of the nerve can be related to herniated or bulging disc or neuroforaminal narrowing due arthritis involving the neck or lower back.
Nerve can also be pinched at a focused area such as the elbow leading to ulnar neuropathy, at the wrist leading to carpal tunnel syndrome, pelvic region leading to pain in the reproductive organs (males: penis, testicles, women: vagina and ovaries) and ankle leading to tarsal tunnel.
Potential symptoms that you may experience with this condition:
- Pain radiating from neck into the upper extremities or to the back of the head
- Pain radiating from the back into the lower extremities
- Burning sensation in feet and/or hands
- Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- Weakness in the upper and/lower extremities
- Difficulty with walking
- Itching in extremities
- Coordination difficulties
- Pain in hands with sleeping resulting in fractured sleep
Treatment and Diagnostic options for this condition:
- Nerve conduction and electromyography to assist in identifying the characteristics of neuropathy which can impact treatment.
- Physical therapy and/or occupational therapy
- Muscle stretching and strengthening
- Core strengthening
- Local ultrasound therapy
- Chiropractor therapy
- Medications:
- Anti-inflammatory therapy
- muscle relaxants
- Hot and cold compressors
- Interventions:
- Diagnostic nerve blocks followed by radiofrequency ablation
- Epidural steroid injections: Interlaminar and Transforaminal
- Spinal cord stimulator
- Peripheral Nerve blocks
- Surgery: for severe cases that are refractory to options 2-4 above.
