Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral Neuropathy

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Therapy for peripheral neuropathy focuses on treating the underlying cause. For example, if the condition is caused by diabetes, therapy will aim to control diabetes. If a tumor or ruptured disc is the cause, treatment may involve surgery to remove the tumor or repair the ruptured disc. In other cases, treatment may focus on managing pain.

Fortunately, peripheral nerves have a remarkable ability to regenerate themselves. New treatments that are currently being developed and studied use nerve growth factors or gene therapy to treat peripheral neuropathy. This work may offer improved chances for recovery in the future.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007