Neuropathy

Tingling, numbness, and burning sensations in your hands or feet can be more than just occasional discomfort — they may be signs of neuropathy. At Twin Creeks Orthopedics and Regenerative Clinic in Allen, Texas, the team understands how neuropathy affects the nerves that carry signals throughout your body, leading to pain, weakness, or even balance issues. While some cases are mild, it’s critical to address the underlying cause early to help manage symptoms. Book your appointment at Twin Creeks Orthopedics and Regenerative Clinic today by phone or online, or call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Also providing service to the cities of Allen, McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Princeton, Anna, Melissa, Prosper, Celina, Van Alstyne, Wylie, Murphy, Richardson, Garland, Dallas, and Rockwall.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that affects your peripheral nerves, which are responsible for transmitting signals between your brain, spinal cord, and the rest of your body. When these nerves are damaged or disrupted, you can develop various symptoms, including pain, weakness, and numbness, typically in your hands and feet.

What are the different types of neuropathy?

Neuropathy types can be categorized by location (peripheral, proximal, cranial, focal) or by the type of nerves affected (autonomic, sensory, motor). Other classifications include the number of nerves involved (mononeuropathy, multiple mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy) and the underlying process (demyelinating, axonal).

Examples of specific conditions include diabetic neuropathy, inflammatory neuropathy, and hereditary neuropathies.

By location

• Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the nerves that run from the spinal cord to the rest of the body, often affecting the hands, feet, legs, and arms.
• Proximal neuropathy: Affects nerves closer to the center of the body, like the hip, thigh, or buttocks.
• Cranial neuropathy: Impacts nerves that control functions like vision, hearing, and taste.
• Focal neuropathy: A sudden weakness or pain in a single nerve or a small group of nerves.

By nerve type

• Autonomic neuropathy: Affects the nerves that control involuntary functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion.
• Sensory neuropathy: Damages nerves that control feeling, such as pain, temperature, and touch.
• Motor neuropathy: Affects the nerves that control muscles and movement.
• Combination neuropathies: A mix of the other types, such as sensory-motor neuropathy.

By the number of nerves affected

• Mononeuropathy: Involves damage to a single nerve. An example is carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Multiple mononeuropathy: Affects two or more nerves in different areas.
• Polyneuropathy: Impacts many nerves, often in a widespread pattern.

By the underlying process

• Axonal degeneration: Causes the nerve axon to deteriorate.
• Demyelinating neuropathy: Affects the myelin sheath that protects nerves.

What issues does neuropathy cause?

Neuropathy can cause a range of issues, depending on the type of nerves affected, including:

• Sensory nerve damage that leads to tingling, burning sensations, numbness, and pain, especially in your extremities
• Motor nerve damage that causes muscle weakness, cramps, and difficulty with coordination or balance
• Autonomic nerve damage that affects involuntary functions, leading to abnormal blood pressure, digestive problems, or excessive sweating

In severe cases, neuropathy can result in loss of sensation, making it difficult to detect injuries, which increases the risk of infections and complications.

What causes neuropathy?

Several factors can contribute to nerve damage, including:

Diabetes

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy, resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels that damage the nerves.

Infections

Conditions like Lyme disease, shingles, and HIV can lead to neuropathy.

Autoimmune diseases

Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can attack nerve tissue.

Vitamin deficiencies

You can have impaired nerve function if you lack essential vitamins, particularly B vitamins.

Alcoholism

Chronic alcohol use can lead to nerve damage due to poor nutrition and toxic effects.

Medications and toxins

Certain chemotherapy drugs and exposure to heavy metals can harm nerves.

Trauma or injury

Nerve damage can result from accidents, repetitive motion, or compression injuries.

How is neuropathy treated?

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, addressing the underlying cause, and preventing further nerve damage. The common strategies for the treatment of neuropathy include:  

• Medications: pain relievers, anticonvulsants, or antidepressants to help manage discomfort
• Lifestyle changes: maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, a balanced diet, and regular exercise to slow progression
• Physical therapy: strengthening exercises to reduce discomfort and improve mobility 
• Nerve stimulation therapy: techniques like TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) to provide relief
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: healing proteins derived from your blood to reduce pain, numbness, and tingling
  
• Surgery: maybe recommended if there is nerve compression

How do WE treat neuropathy?

We treat neuropathy with combined electrochemical therapy, which integrates electric cell signaling therapy (a form of nerve stimulation) and long-acting anesthetic injections to reduce pain, promote nerve healing, and improve function.

If you’re experiencing persistent numbness, pain, or weakness, book your appointment at Twin Creeks Orthopedics and Regenerative Clinic today by phone or online, or call our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.