Neuropathy

Sara Goel, DO

Board Certified Interventional Pain Management Physician & Board Certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician located in Inner Loop, Medical Center, Rice Village, Houston, TX

More than 20 million Americans have some kind of peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathic pain can be extremely intrusive, and it often goes along with other symptoms like numbness and tingling, which is why neuropathy can be potentially disabling if you don’t seek pain relief and rehabilitation. At the Houston, Texas, practice of esteemed double board-certified physician Sara Goel, DO, you get both powerful nonsurgical pain management treatments and effective rehabilitative care to restore maximum function. Call the office or set up your appointment through online scheduling now.

Neuropathy Q & A

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition in which the nerves that branch out from your brain and spine grow damaged. It can affect just one nerve or a big group of nerves.

Mononeuropathy

Mononeuropathy occurs in one peripheral nerve. Multiple mononeuropathy affects two or more peripheral nerves, but usually not a large group of nerves. Physical trauma or repetitive overuse — such as carpal tunnel syndrome — are common causes of mononeuropathy.

Polyneuropathy

Polyneuropathy occurs in many peripheral nerves at once, and it usually affects both sides of the body equally. Diabetes is the most common cause of polyneuropathy.

There are many other causes of peripheral neuropathy, including thyroid disorders, infections, vitamin deficiencies, and excessive alcohol use, among others.

What are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?

There are more than 100 forms of peripheral neuropathy, each with different symptoms. Your symptoms depend on the nerves affected. Some common peripheral neuropathy symptoms include:

Pain in your extremities (arms, hands, legs, or feet)
Burning sensations in your extremities
Numbness
Tingling
Cramps and muscle spasms
Coordination difficulties

Every patient may have different neuropathy symptoms, so be sure to tell Dr. Goel about all of your symptoms even if you don’t think they’re connected to nerve damage.

How is peripheral neuropathy diagnosed?

Dr. Goel performs a thorough exam and reviews your symptoms in detail. She spends a lot of time with every patient to be sure she’s fully aware of how nerve pain and other symptoms affect their life.

Then, Dr. Goel uses precise diagnostic testing to verify what type of neuropathy you’re dealing with. This may include blood tests, nerve conduction tests, electromyography, nerve biopsies, or imaging tests like X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

What does peripheral neuropathy treatment involve?

Dr. Goel takes a multidisciplinary treatment approach that’s designed to maximize your function and minimize persistent peripheral neuropathy symptoms. Your treatment typically includes:

Medication management to maximize drug efficiency
Physical therapy to improve strength and coordination
Spinal cord stimulation

Some interventional pain management procedures, such as therapeutic nerve blocks to deaden nerve pain signals, may be very effective for neuropathic pain.

Dr. Goel also treats complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which is a form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg, and develops after an injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack.

Are you having persistent extremity pain or other strange symptoms? It could be peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Sara Goel compassionately diagnoses your condition and then uses a full range of advanced treatments to get you well. Call the Houston, Texas, office or book an appointment online now.