Overview
Neuropathy (nerve damage) is a common complication of poorly-controlled diabetes.
People with diabetes neuropathy may experience numbness or loss of protective sensation. They may not feel pain associated with trauma, injury or temperature changes to the same level as those people without neuropathy. This can result in foot injuries going unnoticed, which can develop into serious foot ulcers.
They may also experience tingling, burning, sharp or cramping pain over their feet affecting their quality of life. For some individuals, they may have extreme sensitivity to touch such that light touch from blankets may be painful.
Neuropathy may also lead to changes in bones, muscles, and joints of the feet. Over time, with nerves being affected, one may not notice a change in foot structure or not feel pain with continued weightbearing on the injured foot resulting in a change in foot shape.
What are the risk factors?
The risk of diabetic neuropathy is higher with a longer duration of diabetes, especially poorly controlled diabetes. Other risk factors includes:
What are the potential complications?
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetes neuropathy. If you have any of the following symptoms, you may share with your doctor or healthcare team during your next clinic consultation or foot checks.
1. Feeling Pain
2. Feeling Numbness
3. Changes in Foot Shape
4. Open wounds (Diabetes foot ulcers)
Detection & Treatment
What are the screening tests?
1 Source: Al-Muzaini, A., & Baker, N. R. (2017). User's guide to diabetic foot screening [Photograph]. The Diabetic Foot Journal Middle East Vol 3 No 2 2017.
When should I seek medical treatment?
You are advised to seek medical treatment when you have foot ulcer, foot shape changes, or worsening pain over your foot.
Care Management
What can I do?
Specialties & Services
