Skip to main content
Call the clinic09002797291
Dialine
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

Neuropathy

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes and a major risk factor for foot ulceration. We review symptoms, diagnostic tests and evidence-based therapy.

Published9 min read

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) affects roughly half of patients with long-standing diabetes and is the dominant risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration. That loss of protective sensation is what turns therapeutic footwear and offloading from advice into a necessity.

Common patterns

  • Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (most common, stocking-glove pattern)

  • Autonomic neuropathy (gastroparesis, orthostatic hypotension)

  • Mononeuropathy (median, ulnar, peroneal)

  • Diabetic amyotrophy (proximal, often type 2 diabetes)

Bedside diagnosis

  1. 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament at ten plantar sites

  2. 128 Hz tuning fork at the hallux

  3. Pinprick sensation

  4. Achilles reflex

  5. Inspection for foot deformity

References

  1. Pop-Busui R, et al. Diabetic Neuropathy: ADA Position Statement. Diabetes Care. 2017;40(1):136–154. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-2042

  2. Price R, et al. Painful diabetic polyneuropathy practice guideline. Neurology. 2022;98(1):31–43. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000013038

Tags

Questions about your own condition?

The Dialine team is available to review your situation and answer your questions.

Book an appointmentMore about Neuropathy care

Related articles

Neuropathy

Burning and Tingling Feet at Night: What They Mean and When Diabetes Is the Cause

Burning and tingling in the feet that gets worse at night is often nerve damage in people with diabetes, but not always. This guide covers which pattern points to diabetes, what is safe to do tonight and when not to wait.

Diabetes Management

Glycaemic Control and Wound Healing

Uncontrolled blood glucose disrupts every phase of wound healing. We explain why HbA1c and daily glucose variability matter, and which targets are reasonable during active wound treatment.

Burn wound care

Foot Burns in Diabetes: Why They Happen Without Pain and What to Do

On a numb diabetic foot, a burn is usually found by the blister, not the pain. Here is why, what to do in the first minutes, and which burns need a doctor the same day.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy | Dialine Clinic