One of the most common neuropathic conditions is carpal tunnel syndrome. There are also peripheral neuropathic conditions that are usually characterized by pain, numbness and/or tingling in one or more of the extremities, (i.e., hands, feet or legs). A peripheral neuropathy can result from a traumatic injury, infection, metabolic disorder, exposure to toxins or diabetes.
Because a neuropathy has so many potential causes and is not a single disease, diagnosing it requires a comprehensive medical examination. At The Spine & Sports Health Center, our board-certified doctors do just that with all our patients.
Here, your initial consultation–which may take up to an hour–always includes an in-depth discussion and very thorough evaluation with an expert diagnostician who is focused on getting to the heart of your problem as quickly as possible. During this consultation, your doctor will examine your tendon reflexes, muscle strength and tone, the ability to feel sensations, as well as posture and coordination.
Your doctor may prescribe further testing as well as electrodiagnostic analyses, which helps diagnose diseases of the muscles, and nerves of the spine and extremities. Performed in our Hoboken and Bayonne offices by one of our board-certified physicians, there are two types conducted:
- Electromyography (EMG), which tests muscle activity.
- Nerve conduction studies, which record how nerves function and are usually done along with the EMG.
If neuropathy is diagnosed based on your examination and test results, your doctor will create a comprehensive, customized treatment plan for you that may include:
- Pain Management techniques that are minimally invasive and delivered with extreme precision for highly effective, lasting results. These techniques include nerve blocks, targeted steroid injections and spinal cord stimulation.
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation to restore flexibility, strength and function.
In addition to such advanced techniques, your treatment also may include acupuncture, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique that usually involves the placement of small needles around the body to help restore health.