Suggest Treatment For Peripheral Neuropathy In An Elderly Person

Posted on Sun, 17 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 17 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 82. For a couple of years I have had the feeling of having socks on my feet, mostly under the ball of the foot and under the toes. No pain. Still have feeling there. Is the same day or night. It seems to be spreading a little further under the foot. What is peripheral neuropathy?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It indeed, appears to be peripheral neuropathy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxx.txxxxxxxx,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.

These symptoms of paresthesias(abnormal sensations) in feet are classical for peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can be understood as damage to the nerves supplying the peripheral parts(upper limbs and lower limbs) in our body.This is usually of the slowly progressive nature.It can occur due to many causes,the common ones being-
1)Diabetes
2)Vitamins deficiency
3)Alcohol
4)Some drugs

For now,I would suggest you to please get blood sugar and serum vitamin B 12 levels checked.At the same time,please undergo nerve conduction studies of lower limbs so that diagnosis can be made and treatment can be started.

If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar