Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body’s extremities – such as the hands, feet and arms – are damaged. The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.

In the UK, it’s estimated that almost 1 in 10 people aged 55 or over are affected by some degree of peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms

The main symptoms can include:

numbness and tingling in the feet or hands burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas loss of balance and co-ordination muscle weakness, especially in the feet

These symptoms are usually constant, but may come and go.

Read more about symptoms of peripheral neuropathy


Symptoms vary according to the type of peripheral neuropathy and may develop quickly or slowly.

The main types of peripheral neuropathy include:

sensory neuropathy – damage to the nerves that carry messages of touch, temperature, pain and other sensations to the brain motor neuropathy – damage to the nerves that control movement autonomic neuropathy – damage to the nerves that control involuntary bodily processes, such as digestion, bladder function and control of blood pressure mononeuropathy – damage to a single nerve outside of the central nervous system

In many cases, someone with peripheral neuropathy may have more than one of these types at the same time.

A combination of sensory and motor neuropathy is particularly common (sensorimotor polyneuropathy).

The symptoms of the main types of peripheral neuropathy are described below.


In addition to treating pain, you may also require treatment to help you manage other symptoms you’re experiencing as a result of peripheral neuropathy.

For example, if you have muscle weakness, you may need physiotherapy to learn exercises to improve your muscle strength. You may also need to wear splints to support weak ankles or use walking aids to help you get around.

Other problems associated with peripheral neuropathy may be treatable with medication, such as:

erectile dysfunction constipation the slow movement of food through your stomach (gastroparesis)

In some cases, you may need more invasive treatment, such as botulinum toxin injections for hyperhidrosis or urinary catheterisation if you have problems emptying your bladder.