It’s estimated that more than 20 million Americans live with some form of peripheral neuropathy and suffer from pain, weakness, and lost coordination. At Pro Sports and Elite Rehab in Vero Beach, Florida, the team of board-certified orthopedists diagnoses and treats neuropathy with personalized plans to relieve your symptoms and restore your mobility and quality of life. Call Pro Sports and Elite Rehab today or schedule a consultation online if you need expert treatment for neuropathy.
Neuropathy is a painful condition that occurs when you experience nerve damage. Also referred to as peripheral neuropathy, the disease can affect any motor, sensory, or autonomic nerves that branch out from your spine and extend through your body.
Neuropathy symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the nerve damage.
For example, if a motor nerve is damaged, your symptoms could include pain, muscle twitching, and muscle wasting or shrinkages. You may also have trouble walking, grasping objects, or fine motor skills such as buttoning a shirt.
Sensory nerve damage can cause symptoms, including:
Neuropathy that affects your autonomic nerves can cause problems with bodily functions like your blood pressure, temperature regulation, digestion, and bladder control.
Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, as consistently elevated glucose levels cause nerve damage as well as blood vessel problems and other tissue damage. Other factors that can cause neuropathy include:
If you have any signs of neuropathy, identifying the underlying cause is a critical part of finding the proper treatment to relieve your symptoms and restore your health.
The team at Pro Sports and Elite Rehab uses physical exams and testing to diagnose and locate neuropathy. After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor completes a physical exam, including standard neurological tests such as balance, grip strength, and reflexes.
The team also uses X-rays, MRIs, lab tests, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies to evaluate your nerve health and locate the nerve damage causing your symptoms.
The Pro Sports and Elite Rehab team offers personalized treatment plans to relieve your symptoms and address the underlying cause of your neuropathy. You may benefit from medication, including pain relievers, anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, and topical medicines.
Your physician may also suggest physical therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or treatments to address other health issues contributing to your condition.
In some cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove a tumor or correct a structural issue that puts pressure on a nerve.
Call Pro Sports and Elite Rehab today or make an appointment online today if you have any neuropathy symptoms and want expert, personalized treatment.