Causes

Diabetes Diabetic amyotrophy: thigh pain and weakness in diabetes Diabetic amyotrophy is a rare nerve condition of diabetes. Sudden, severe pain in the hip, buttock or thigh, usually on one side, is followed within weeks by weakness and shrinking of the thigh muscles. It mostly affects people over 50 with type 2 diabetes, often early … Read more

Causes Idiopathic neuropathy: what it means when no cause is found Idiopathic neuropathy means nerve damage, usually starting in both feet, for which no cause has been found after testing. It is common, especially after 50, and it usually changes slowly. The label is a working conclusion rather than a final verdict: a few tests … Read more

Diagnosis Axonal neuropathy: what it means, causes and treatment Axonal neuropathy means the nerve fibers themselves, the long, wire-like axons that carry nerve signals, are damaged or lost, rather than the insulation around them. Most polyneuropathies are mainly axonal, and most begin in the feet and progress over months or years. Diabetes is the most … Read more

Causes Erythromelalgia: red, hot, burning feet and how to cool them safely Erythromelalgia causes flares of burning pain, redness and heat, usually in both feet. Cooling eases it, but cooling too hard, such as soaking in ice water, can injure the skin. Written by the Managing Neuropathy editorial team under the direction of Dr. Tom … Read more

Causes Sural nerve: where it runs, what injures it and what helps The sural nerve carries feeling from the outer ankle, the outer heel and the outer edge of the foot. It lies just under the skin, so sprains, fractures, tight boots and nearby operations can injure it. Written by the Managing Neuropathy editorial team … Read more

Causes CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy): symptoms, treatment and outlook CIDP is a rare condition in which the immune system damages the insulating coat of the nerves to the arms and legs. Weakness and numbness build over at least two months. Most people improve with treatment. Written by the Managing Neuropathy editorial team under the … Read more

Causes Polyneuropathy: what it is, what causes it and what helps Polyneuropathy means many nerves are damaged at the same time. It usually starts in both feet and creeps slowly upward. Diabetes is the most common cause, and the cause decides much of what happens next. Written by the Managing Neuropathy editorial team under the … Read more

Causes Mononeuritis multiplex: causes, symptoms and treatment Mononeuritis multiplex means damage to two or more separate nerves, often one after another and on different sides of the body. It is a pattern rather than a single disease. Inflammation of the blood vessels that feed the nerves, called vasculitis, is a common cause, and diabetes is … Read more

Causes Femoral nerve pain: symptoms, causes, treatment and exercises The femoral nerve runs from the lower back through the groin to the front of the thigh. When it is damaged, the front of the thigh and the inner leg can hurt, tingle or go numb, and the thigh muscle that straightens the knee can weaken, … Read more

Causes Meralgia paresthetica: symptoms, treatment and exercises Meralgia paresthetica is a pinched nerve at the front of the hip that makes the outer thigh burn, tingle or go numb. It doesn’t weaken the leg, and for most people it eases within a few months once the pressure comes off. Written by the Managing Neuropathy editorial … Read more