Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluation
Comprehensive workup for numbness, burning, or weakness in the hands and feet.
Overview
Peripheral neuropathy describes nerve damage outside the brain and spinal cord, most often affecting the hands and feet first. It has many possible causes — diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, medication side effects, or compressive entrapment — and pinpointing the cause is the key to effective treatment. Dr. Spears combines a detailed history and exam with symptom‑guided electrodiagnostic testing to localize the problem and, where possible, identify a treatable cause.
Symptoms This Test Helps Explain
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet or hands, often worse at night.
• A gradual "stocking and glove" pattern of sensory loss.
• Balance problems or unsteadiness related to reduced sensation.
• Muscle weakness affecting grip or gait.
What to Expect
Your visit begins with a detailed history — including any diabetes, prior chemotherapy, alcohol use, or family history of neuropathy — followed by a focused neurological exam. Nerve conduction studies and, when indicated, EMG are used to determine whether the neuropathy is primarily sensory or motor, and whether it follows a pattern suggestive of a specific underlying cause. Results and next steps, including any recommended lab workup, are reviewed the same visit.