Neuropathy Care in Inwood, NY
Neuropathy means damage to the nerves that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body. It often starts as numbness, tingling or burning in the feet or hands. At Five Towns Neurology, we look for which nerves are involved and what is causing the problem, so your plan fits the cause.
Symptoms we evaluate
Neuropathy has many possible causes. Diabetes is a common one. Others include low vitamin B12, thyroid problems, heavy alcohol use, some medicines, inherited neuropathies, and immune conditions such as CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy). Sometimes no clear cause is found. We see people with:
- Numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling in the feet, legs, hands or fingers
- Burning, stabbing or electric-shock pain
- Weakness, trouble gripping, or dropping things
- Foot drop: catching your toes or tripping because the front of the foot is hard to lift
- Poor balance, especially in the dark
- Hand numbness or tingling that wakes you at night, a common sign of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Pain, numbness or weakness that travels down an arm or leg from a pinched nerve in the neck or lower back
How we find the cause
Your visit starts with a detailed history and a hands-on neurological exam. Bring any recent blood work and test results so we can see the full picture.
When testing will help, nerve tests are done right here in our office. You can read about each one on our Tests We Do page. Tests for nerve problems include:
- EMG/NCV (electromyography and nerve conduction study): measures how well your nerves carry signals and how your muscles respond, in the arms and neck, the legs and lower back, or both.
- SSEP (somatosensory evoked potentials): measures how signals travel from your arms or legs through the spinal cord to the brain, which can show nerve slowing or a pinched nerve.
- Open MRI: when a pinched nerve in the neck or back is suspected, imaging can be done through Village Open MRI, a division of our practice.
Your care plan
Once we know what kind of neuropathy you have and what may be behind it, we explain the results in plain terms and build a plan with you.
Care usually focuses on two things: the cause and the symptoms. That can mean working with your primary doctor or endocrinologist on blood sugar or other medical causes, along with steps to protect your feet and your balance. Pain management is one of our specialties, so your plan also addresses nerve pain.
Follow-up visits let us check how you are doing and adjust the plan as needed. We keep your other doctors up to date.
When to see a neurologist
Weakness that spreads quickly over hours or days, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, needs emergency care right away.
For other nerve symptoms, book a visit if:
- Numbness, tingling or burning does not go away or keeps spreading
- You have weakness, trip often, or drop things
- Nerve pain disrupts your sleep or daily life
- You have diabetes and notice new changes in feeling in your feet
- Your doctor has recommended nerve testing
Insurance
We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, plus No-Fault and Workers' Compensation for injuries from a car or work accident. Please see the plans we take, or call us to confirm your coverage.
Other conditions we treat
Visit Five Towns Neurology
Our office is at 233 Doughty Blvd, Inwood, NY 11096, in the Five Towns. Call (516) 239-1800. Hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 9am to 2pm. We are closed on Saturday.
Allow at least 3 hours for your first visit. It includes a full history and physical exam, and testing is usually done the same day when possible. Bring your medications, past test results and MRIs, your insurance card, and a referral if your plan needs one. Read about your first visit or contact us to book.