What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It often causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands, legs, and feet. Because these nerves carry messages between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body, even simple activities like holding a cup or walking can become challenging.
Penn Medicine peripheral nerve care specialists have a long history of helping people with neuropathy, combining clinical care, research, and education. We take the time to understand your situation, partnering with you to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals, and helping you regain strength, sensation, and confidence in your daily life.
Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
This condition can have many causes and may affect different nerves in the body. Because of this, peripheral neuropathy symptoms can look different from person to person. They may include:
- Tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands, legs, or feet
- Changes in blood pressure or heart rate, sometimes causing dizziness
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Sensitivity to touch, making shoes uncomfortable
- Numb toes
- Muscle weakness
- Changes in sweating
- Digestive problems
- Bladder changes
What causes peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy can happen for many different reasons. It may appear as a side effect of certain cancer treatments, and it’s also linked to conditions like diabetes or neurological disorders. Other possible causes include alcohol use disorder, medications, infections, autoimmune conditions, or inherited disorders. Sometimes there’s no clear cause.
How peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed
Your Penn Medicine health care team will start by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. A physical and neurological exam helps assess strength, balance, reflexes, and sensation. If more information is needed, additional tests may be recommended.
Peripheral neuropathy treatment
Finding the right approach depends on the cause of neuropathy and the severity of the symptoms. For some people, managing diabetes or another underlying condition, along with adjusting medications, can make a meaningful difference. Other treatments focus on easing discomfort and protecting nerve health through medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Targeted therapies may also help improve strength, balance, and mobility. Options may include neuromuscular re-education, occupational therapy, assistive devices (like braces or orthotics), balance training, and pain-relief techniques, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The goal is to help daily activities feel steadier, safer, and more manageable.
With the right guidance, neuropathy can be managed more effectively. At Penn Medicine, our team works closely with you to understand what you’re feeling and how neuropathy is affecting your daily life. From diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation, we create a plan tailored to your needs, adjusting along the way to keep you as active, steady, and comfortable as possible. We help you feel informed and supported at every stage.