Neuropathy Specialist
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ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL CONSULTANTS
Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, & Podiatry located in Merrillville, IN
You could have many possible neuropathy symptoms, but pain, tingling, and numbness are the most common. The board-certified physicians at Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants are experts in neuropathy. They complete advanced testing to find the source of your pain and create a treatment plan that addresses the underlying problem, relieves your symptoms, and supports nerve healing. At the first sign of neuropathy, or if you have questions about your symptoms, call the office in Merrillville, Indiana, or book an appointment online today.
Neuropathy Q & A
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy refers to any type of nerve damage, whether due to an injury or disease. You have a vast network of nerves that can develop many possible types of neuropathy. However, peripheral neuropathy is the most common type.
Peripheral neuropathy includes problems in the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord.
You can develop peripheral neuropathy from many conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Herniated discs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Brachial plexus injury
- Degenerative disc disease
- Kidney disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Autoimmune diseases
Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants also treats nerve damage caused by fractures, dislocations, and other traumatic injuries.
What symptoms develop due to neuropathy?
The symptoms you experience depend on the type of nerve affected by the injury:
Sensory nerve damage
Sensory nerves pick up information from your body, such as pain, temperature, and pressure, and carry it to your brain. When you damage the sensory nerves, your symptoms may include pain, tingling, burning, and numbness.
Motor nerve damage
Motor nerves carry information from your brain to your muscles. Damaged motor nerves lead to muscle weakness, cramping, and muscle loss.
Autonomic nerve damage
The autonomic nerves control the functions that keep you alive, such as your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and digestion. Therefore, the symptoms caused by autonomic nerve damage depend on the affected body system. A few examples include excessive sweating, nausea, and a fast heartbeat.
How is neuropathy treated?
Your provider at Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants completes a thorough exam and diagnostic testing to determine if an underlying condition caused your neuropathy. If you have an identifiable health condition, your initial treatment targets that problem. When the root cause heals, your neuropathy should improve.
Your provider also creates a plan to relieve your symptoms; they may recommend medication, physical therapy, or local nerve blocks, for example. If you have diabetic neuropathy, your treatment includes medications and lifestyle changes to keep your blood sugar in the normal range.
Nerve damage caused by trauma, or when you have a pinched nerve such as carpal tunnel syndrome, may need surgery. The providers at Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants specialize in several surgical techniques that repair these problems.
If you develop any signs of neuropathy, call Orthopaedic Surgical Consultants or book an appointment online today.