Neuropathy & Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Expert Evaluation & Treatment for Neuropathy & Peripheral Nerve Disorders

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the complex network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord becomes damaged, inflamed, or compressed, disrupting signal transmission to the rest of the body. This damage often causes debilitating burning pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness, typically starting in the hands and feet. Dr. Pradyumna Oak offers advanced electrodiagnostic evaluation (NCV/EMG) and comprehensive treatment plans to identify the underlying cause, alleviate neuropathic pain, and prevent progressive nerve damage.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral nerves carry sensory, motor, and autonomic signals between the central nervous system and every tissue in the body. When these nerves are injured by metabolic conditions (like diabetes), autoimmune reactions, vitamin deficiencies, or mechanical compression, signal delivery becomes distorted or lost entirely. Accurate electrophysiological testing and biomarker profiling are essential to pinpoint whether the damage affects the protective myelin sheath or the underlying axon, guiding targeted disease-modifying therapies.

Conditions We Evaluate & Treat

Our specialized peripheral nerve service provides comprehensive diagnostic testing, symptom management, and targeted interventions for a wide range of neuropathic conditions, including:

Diabetic Polyneuropathy

Specialized care for progressive, length-dependent sensory and motor nerve damage resulting from chronic elevation in blood glucose levels.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) & CIDP

Emergency medical stabilization, IVIG, and plasmapheresis for acute (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies (CIDP) causing rapid muscle weakness.

Entrapment Neuropathies (Carpal & Talar Tunnel Syndromes)

Diagnosis and non-surgical or surgical management for nerve compression disorders causing localized numbness and pain in the hands or feet.

Toxic & Nutritional Neuropathies

Identification and correction of nerve damage secondary to chemotherapy agents, heavy alcohol consumption, or Vitamin B12 and B6 metabolic imbalances.

Autonomic Neuropathy

Evaluation and management of damage to autonomic nerves controlling involuntary functions, presenting as postural dizziness, digestive issues, or abnormal sweating.

Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)

Targeted diagnostic workup for conditions selectively affecting small sensory nerve fibers, causing severe burning pain despite normal nerve conduction studies.

Cervical & Lumbar Radiculopathy

Care for nerve root compression in the neck or lower back causing radiating pain, weakness, or "sciatica" down the arms or legs.

Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Peripheral nerve damage can present with motor, sensory, or autonomic symptoms depending on the specific nerves affected. Consult a neurologist if you experience:

• Gradual onset of numbness, prickling, or "pins and needles" sensations in your feet or hands
• Burning, sharp, jabbing, freezing, or electric shock-like pain, often worse at night
• Extreme sensitivity to light touch (allodynia), where even the weight of a bedsheet causes discomfort
• Muscle weakness, frequent tripping, loss of balance, or difficulty lifting the front of the foot (foot drop)
• Feeling like you are wearing invisible "socks or gloves" when your skin is bare
• Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, causing lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unexplained changes in digestion, bowel habits, or bladder control
• Inability to feel temperature changes or pain, leading to unnoticed cuts, sores, or foot ulcers

Early identification of neuropathic red flags allows for prompt intervention to protect healthy nerve fibers before permanent axon loss occurs.

Our Diagnostic Approach

Because peripheral neuropathy has dozens of distinct causes, a precise diagnostic workup is crucial to design an effective treatment strategy:

• Comprehensive clinical neurological exam testing sensation, muscle strength, and deep tendon reflexes
• Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) studies to measure the speed and strength of electrical signals in peripheral nerves
• Electromyography (EMG) to assess the health of muscles and their supplying motor neurons
• High-resolution Nerve Ultrasound or MRI Neurography for structural compression mapping
• Comprehensive Blood Panels (HbA1c, Vitamin B12, serum protein electrophoresis, thyroid function, and autoimmune markers)
• Autonomic reflex testing or specialized skin punch biopsy for small fiber neuropathy evaluation

Accurately mapping whether nerve damage is demyelinating, axonal, focal, or systemic guides targeted curative or supportive therapy.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Treatment focuses on treating the underlying primary cause, relieving nerve pain, and restoring motor function:

• Disease-Specific Therapies (strict glycemic control, immunomodulatory drugs, or vitamin supplementation)
• Targeted Neuropathic Pain Medications (gabapentinoids, SNRIs, or topical analgesics)
• Immunotherapy (Intravenous Immunoglobulin / IVIG or Plasma Exchange for autoimmune neuropathies like GBS/CIDP)
• Physical therapy and custom orthotics (splints or braces) to support weak limbs and prevent falls
• Nerve decompression procedures or targeted local nerve injections for focal entrapment syndromes
• Patient education on diabetic foot care, balance preservation, and safety strategies

Book an Appointment

If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent numbness, burning sensations in the feet, or unexplained leg weakness, early specialist evaluation is key. Addressing nerve damage early can prevent irreversible complications and restore your comfort.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Pradyumna Oak today for a comprehensive neurological evaluation and targeted treatment plan.