Most people that suffer with peripheral neuropathy rarely realize that the symptoms were years in the making!
There are two types of symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, negative and positive. Negative signs are the symptoms that come on first. Negative signs occur when there is damage to the nervous system, which causes an obvious loss of function. The loss of function can include loss of reflexes, loss of strength, loss of sensation (like numbness). These are rarely detectable to the patient, because the brain makes up the difference in these losses. Only after some time will the sick and damaged nerves develop the "positive" signs. The positive signs of neuropathy are tingling, burning, biting, stabbing and shooting type pains. This is also a reaction from the brain and nervous system; sadly this overreaction is what starts to tear apart the very existence of the patient's lives.
Some of these neuropathies come on suddenly, while others develop over many years. I have seen many people affected by weakness in the arms and legs which leads to increasing difficulty standing, walking, and getting out of the chair. The unfortunate loss of sensation to the feet, ankles, and toes contributes to patient's not knowing where they are in space and resulting in falling very easily. These under-recognized sensory losses can only be identified by proper clinical examination called the Toronto Clinical Scoring System.
The Toronto Clinical Scoring System Examination is a "qualitative" comparison of different sensations from non-affected areas to one of suspected areas of sensory loss. The Toronto Clinical Scoring System has been used for diabetic polyneuropathy for years. The patient is asked to differentiate sensations such as cool, cold, heat, pain, and light touch. Reflexes (Achilles, patellar, biceps. triceps) comparing upper extremities to lower extremities is also performed.
Peripheral neuropathy treatment programs are individualized. One size does not fit all peripheral neuropathy cases! Each case needs to be individually evaluated with a neurological and muscular examination, the Toronto clinical exam, blood evaluation (Metabolic) and X-rays if needed.
The treatment of peripheral neuropathy has some very new and innovative protocols.
God bless America and all of our troops. Yours in good health!