A Word From Dr. Edelman, on Diagnosing Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Dr. Edelman, who has been living with diabetes since the age of 15, is the founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), a not-for-profit 501(c)3 diabetes education organization founded in 1995. Committed to promoting education, motivation and self-advocacy for people living with diabetes, Dr. Edelman has become a local, national and international leader in diabetes treatment, research, and especially education. He champions the cause of patient advocacy and has dedicated his life to helping people with diabetes live healthier lives.
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Over time, elevated blood sugar levels could potentially lead to different diabetes complications. Examples are kidney and eye (retinopathy) conditions. It can also lead to nerve damage, especially in the feet.

Foot exams by your doctor are crucial. If you have diabetes, you should have a foot exam each year. The goal is to check for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Your doctor may use different tests and tools to help make a diagnosis. It will probably include the important 10-gram monofilament test. The monofilament test checks to see if you can feel the touch of a thin, plastic wire. Other possible tests are electromyograms (EMGs) and nerve conduction studies.

In addition to your exam, your doctor may also rely on your report of your symptoms to determine your diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor may also want to know how your symptoms impact your life. Our Diabetic Nerve Pain Impact Questionnaire may help you explain the impact of your pain.

Regular exams are important because a diabetes patient can have peripheral neuropathy without pain. This is especially true in the early stages of the neuropathy.

If there is pain, the neuropathy may be called painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (pDPN). Another common term is Diabetic Nerve Pain. Your diagnosis and treatment may be based on your pain level.

Your doctor may want to treat your pain. This is especially true if your pain is making it difficult for you to be physically active. With less pain, you can focus on increasing physical activity to better control your blood sugar level. This is an important part of good diabetes care.

Careful Foot Care Is Important if You Have Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy carries some real risks. If your foot is numb, you may not feel an injury. An example is stepping on a nail. If that injury isn’t properly treated, it’s possible to get a very serious infection.