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 & Sports Injury 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 an appointment online or call the office today.

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 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 an evaluation at Twin Creeks Orthopedics & Sports Injury Clinic today by phone or online.