Lower limb neuropathy is a problem that many people face. This term combines many pathologies that are accompanied by damage to certain branches of the peripheral nervous system. The disease leads to pain, spasms and other unpleasant symptoms.
Of course, many people are looking for any available information about pathology, including photos. Symptoms and treatment of neuropathy of the lower extremities, causes and possible complications are important points that you should definitely study. So why does the disease develop and can it be somehow prevented?
What is a disease?
Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a term that combines a number of diseases accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the structures of the peripheral nervous system.
If certain nerve fibers are damaged, then there is a violation of the sensitivity of the muscles, the development of paralysis and a change in other functions of certain organs. Howstatistics show that most often the disease affects the nerve fibers of the lower extremities.
Main reasons for development
Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a very dangerous disease, which is accompanied by serious disorders and extremely unpleasant symptoms. The reasons for the development of pathology can be very different. In modern medicine, there are several risk factors:
- various metabolic disorders caused by various chronic diseases, in particular kidney failure;
- the presence of endocrine pathologies, namely: thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus (diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities is considered the most common);
- trauma, damage to certain structures of the peripheral nervous system;
- prolonged exposure to toxic substances on the body (the list of potentially hazardous substances includes drugs, alcohol, acetone, arsenic, lead, mercury);
- pronounced, chronic vitamin deficiency;
- uncontrolled use of certain drugs, e.g. anticancer drugs, antibiotics;
- severe forms of infectious diseases, including mumps, diphtheria, chickenpox, HIV infection;
- systemic autoimmune pathologies, in which antibodies of the own immune system attack nerve cells, destroy myelin sheaths;
- presence of malignant tumors in the body;
- it has been proven that there is a hereditary predisposition (for example, such a genetica disease like Charcot-Marie-Tooth amyotrophy is accompanied by the development of neuropathies).
Any of the above conditions can lead to the development of severe damage to the nerve structures. During the diagnosis, by the way, it is not enough just to confirm the presence of neuropathy of the lower extremities, it is also important to determine the cause of the development of the disease.
Classification: forms and types of neuropathies
Today, there are a huge number of schemes that allow us to classify such a pathology. If we take into account the causes of the development of the disease, then several forms:
- Toxic neuropathy develops against the background of intoxication of the body with dangerous substances, poisons, s alts of heavy metals, etc.
- Dismetabolic - a pathology associated with metabolic disorders.
- The most common is diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, the symptoms and treatment of which will also be described in the article.
- Separately, it is worth mentioning alcoholic neuropathy, which often affects people who abuse alcohol. Its symptoms increase gradually: at first, the muscles in the legs become weak, sensitivity decreases, pain appears, the intensity of which increases as the disease progresses.
- Possible allergic form of the disease.
- Some patients are diagnosed with inflammatory neuropathy, which is associated with some form of inflammation.
Depending on the mechanism of development of the diseaseallocate:
- primary neuropathy, which develops against the background of genetic diseases (this group also includes idiopathic forms of the disease, when it is impossible to find out the cause of the development of neuropathy);
- secondary form of the disease - develops against the background of infections, intoxications, metabolic disorders, etc.
If we take into account the location of the pathological process, then they distinguish:
- distal neuropathy, which is accompanied by symmetrical damage to the nerve trunks of both legs, patients in this case complain of pain and decreased sensitivity of the feet, ankles (by the way, these are the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities);
- proximal form of the disease, which is accompanied by nerve damage in the upper legs and hips (patients feel pain in the buttocks and hip joints, often lose the ability to walk independently).
The nature of the damage to the nervous structures is also taken into account. As you know, a nerve fiber consists of axons (long processes of neurons) and a myelin sheath.
- Axonal neuropathy is accompanied by damage directly to the axons. The disease develops slowly, accompanied by severe pain and progressive muscle atrophy.
- Sometimes myelin sheath neuropathy also develops. First of all, damage to the sheaths of motor and sensory fibers is observed.
The type of fibers affected by the pathology also matters.
- Motor neuropathy accompanied by damagemotor nerve fibers. Patients suffer from muscle weakness, gradual tissue atrophy. If left untreated, the person completely loses the ability to move around.
- Sensory neuropathy is characterized by damage to sensory fibers. The ability to move is preserved, but the sensitivity is significantly reduced or, conversely, increased. Patients suffer from constant pain and tingling. Sometimes even the slightest touch causes an attack of sharp pain.
- If the pathological process affects the vegetative fibers (vegetative neuropathy), then the patient has disorders from different organ systems. For example, in men against the background of the disease, impotence develops. There may be a violation of the urinary system, increased sweating, etc.
- There are also mixed forms of the disease that combine all of the above symptoms. Against the background of the disease, both axons and myelin sheaths are damaged.
Motor disorders
Symptoms of neuropathy of the lower extremities can be different - it all depends on which nerve fibers were affected. If motor fibers were involved in the pathological process, then the signs will be as follows:
- there is a decrease in reflexes, in particular, knee and Achilles (such a symptom should be detected only during a neurological examination);
- patients note the periodic occurrence of spasms and muscle cramps in the affected areas;
- muscle weakness appears,which gradually increases (it is difficult for the patient to move, his gait changes, sometimes the ability to move is lost completely);
- since the muscles stop working normally, their fibers begin to gradually atrophy (this process can take years, but in the absence of therapy inevitably leads to disability).
Sensitivity disorders
Sometimes neuropathy is accompanied by damage to sensory fibers, resulting in very characteristic symptoms:
- Patients complain of constant aching pain that spreads along the affected nerve.
- Other disorders appear, such as a tingling sensation or the presence of a foreign body under the skin. Such discomfort is constantly present, which affects the emotional state of a person. Patients become irritable and nervous, because the discomfort is almost impossible to get rid of.
- Sometimes there are violations of a certain form of sensitivity. For example, sometimes patients have a lower or higher pain threshold. Some people note that they stop feeling heat and cold, touch and pressure with their skin. Violation of the sensitivity of the skin of the feet makes it much more difficult for a person to move, because it is difficult for him to maintain balance while walking.
Vegetative-trophic symptoms of neuropathy of the lower extremities: photo and description
It is worth noting that similarsymptoms are most often accompanied by a diabetic form of the disease. To begin with, tissue trophism is disrupted, which leads to thinning of skin tissues. The covers become dry, more susceptible to external factors. As the disease progresses, the affected areas of the skin may develop cracks, abrasions, erosions, and ulcers that are difficult to treat.
Possibly other symptoms:
- appearance of age spots;
- hair loss;
- formation of persistent swelling of the legs;
- weakening of the regenerative properties of skin tissues;
- impaired sweating.
Such symptoms should never be ignored - it is important to see a doctor in time. Only a specialist will be able to draw up an effective treatment regimen for neuropathy of the lower extremities.
Diagnostic Methods
Symptoms of lower extremity neuropathy can vary. If you notice any abnormalities in yourself, you should definitely consult a doctor. Diagnostics in this case includes several procedures.
- First, information on symptoms is collected, as well as a physical examination.
- The doctor also checks for certain reflexes.
- The patient donates blood samples for general and biochemical analysis. It is also important to check blood sugar levels if diabetic lower limb neuropathy is suspected (treatment largely depends on the nature of the primary disease).
- Electroneuromyography is being performed. A similar procedure allows you to detect existing deviations and changes in the speed of conducting electrical impulses along nerve fibers.
- Patients are often sent for a spinal tap. The study of cerebrospinal fluid allows you to identify the presence of infection or inflammation.
- An ultrasound of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity is performed (this procedure allows you to detect the presence of concomitant pathologies).
- An X-ray examination of the spinal column is mandatory.
- When an inflammatory and malignant process is suspected, a biopsy is sometimes performed.
The results of the above studies help the doctor make a final diagnosis.
Lower limb neuropathy: drug treatment
A problem like this should never be ignored. Be sure to consult a doctor - only a specialist can determine the presence of neuropathy of the lower extremities. Symptoms and treatment in this case are closely related, so medications are selected individually.
For example, in case of toxic damage, it is required to quickly remove dangerous substances and their metabolites from the body. Drug treatment for diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities involves the use of hormonal agents (synthetic insulin) and the correct diet.
- First of all, patients are prescribed drugs that improve the conductivity of nerve fibers - this helps restore sensory and motor functions.
- Severe pain and inflammation are relieved withsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients are usually prescribed drugs containing methylprednisolone.
- Severe pain can be stopped with Analgin (used as a solution) or Tramadol.
- If the pain syndrome is not so pronounced, then discomfort can be removed with the help of special ointments (for example, products with lidocaine) or even pepper patches.
- Also used are drugs such as Pentoxifylline, Trental, Vasonite. Medicines improve blood circulation in the vessels, which has a positive effect on tissue nutrition.
- Injections of B vitamins help relieve pain, improve nutrition in tissues and nerves, and eliminate spasm.
- Drugs such as Piracetam and Mildronate also improve the supply of nutrients to the tissues.
- For spasms and convulsions, muscle relaxants, such as Baclofen, are indicated.
- Additional recommendations are given to patients with diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities. Treatment with drugs that help control blood sugar and insulin levels is also needed.
- Sometimes additional antidepressants are used.
These are the drugs taken by patients diagnosed with neuropathy of the lower extremities. Treatment with drugs, of course, makes it possible to cope with the symptoms of the disease and stop the further development of the pathological process.
Physiotherapy for Neuropathy
Treatment of neuropathy of the lower extremities can be supplementedvarious physiotherapy treatments.
- If there is a toxic damage to the body, then plasmaphoresis is mandatory, which ensures the rapid removal of toxins.
- Regular sessions of therapeutic massage help relieve muscle spasm, improve blood circulation and, accordingly, tissue nutrition.
- The treatment regimen also includes special therapeutic exercises. Regular exercise helps maintain muscle tone and prevent the development of atrophy.
- Magnetic therapy gives a good effect.
- Sometimes patients are prescribed nerve stimulation sessions with the help of special electrical appliances.
- Effective are some methods of non-traditional therapy. Sometimes patients are recommended acupuncture, stone massage, treatment with leeches.
- An important part of the treatment is the right diet. Patients are advised to include more fruits, vegetables and dairy products in their diet. It is worth giving up spices, preservatives, spicy, fatty and fried foods. Alcohol is prohibited. It is also worth giving up smoking, chewing tobacco.
As a rule, such procedures, coupled with properly selected drugs, help slow down the development of the pathological process, and sometimes even restore sensitivity and motor function.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Some home remedies can also help manage symptoms:
- Saline solution is considered effective. It is easy to prepare - you just need to fill the bucket halfway with hot water, add 150 ml of table vinegar (9%) and 200 gregular s alt. This foot bath should be done daily for a month.
- Compresses of blue clay will also help. By the way, the powder can be purchased at any pharmacy.
- It is useful to add a decoction of pine needles to the bathing bath.
These remedies help relieve pain and eliminate some other symptoms. However, they cannot replace full-fledged drug therapy - you cannot refuse the help of a doctor.
Prevention measures
Today, many people are interested in information about this disease and its symptoms, looking for a photo. Neuropathy of the lower extremities is a dangerous and extremely unpleasant disease. Unfortunately, there are no specific preventive drugs. But there are some medical prescriptions that should be done in order to protect yourself:
- if you are forced to work with toxic substances, then you need to take protective medicines, follow safety precautions;
- all inflammatory and infectious diseases should be treated in time;
- need to give up alcohol, drugs, tobacco;
- any drugs can be taken only with the permission of a doctor, observing the correct dosage;
- it is important to wear comfortable shoes, avoid injuries and hypothermia of the feet, maintain hygiene;
- need to maintain good physical shape, keep body weight normal;
- proper nutrition and an active lifestyle will help strengthen the body;
- important to control blood pressure, take appropriate medications.
This is verya dangerous disease that should not be ignored. With timely and correctly performed therapy, the symptoms of neuropathy of the lower extremities begin to disappear, so the prognosis for patients is favorable. However, severe pathologies lead to disability.
