Neuropathy testing can help diagnose small fiber neuropathy by
testing a small sample of your epidermal nerve’s fiber density, often referred to as ENFD.
Neuropathy is a peripheral nerve disease that selectively affects small diameter nerve
fibers. The test is highly specific and sufficiently sensitive with a 97% accuracy rate.
Common causes of small fiber neuropathy are diabetes (types 1 and 2), HIV, vibratory trauma,
amyloidosis/monoclonal gammopathy, alcohol abuse, pharmacologic toxins, solvent exposure,
and/or idiopathic neuropathy.
Your Corbridge Podiatry foot specialists specialize in neuropathy testing and can quickly diagnose and
set you on a path with expert action and planning, working hand-in-hand and step-by-step
with their patients to achieve the best possible results.
Peripheral neuropathy has many possible causes. Besides a physical
exam, which may include blood tests, diagnosis usually requires:
- A full medical history. Your health care professional will look at your
medical history. The history will include your symptoms, lifestyle, exposure to toxins,
drinking habits and a family history of nervous system, or neurological, diseases.
- Neurological exam. Your care professional might check your tendon
reflexes, muscle strength and tone, ability to feel certain sensations, and balance and
coordination.
Tests
Your Corbridge Podiatry foot specialists may order tests, including:
- Blood tests. These can detect low levels of vitamins, diabetes, signs
of inflammation or metabolic issues that can cause peripheral neuropathy.
- Imaging tests. CT or MRI scans can look for herniated disks, pinched
nerves, also called compressed nerves, growths or other problems affecting the blood
vessels and bones.
- Nerve function tests. Electromyography (EMG) measures and records
electrical activity in your muscles to find nerve damage. A thin needle (electrode) is
inserted into the muscle to measure electrical activity as you contract the muscle.
During an EMG, a nerve conduction study is typically also done. Flat electrodes are
placed on the skin and a low electric current stimulates the nerves. A health care
professional will record how the nerves respond to the electric current.
- Other nerve function tests. These might include an autonomic reflex
screen. This test records how the autonomic nerve fibers work. Other tests can include a
sweat test that measures your body's ability to sweat and sensory tests that record how
you feel touch, vibration, cooling and heat.
- Nerve biopsy. This involves removing a small portion of a nerve,
usually a sensory nerve, to try to find the cause of the neuropathy.
- Skin biopsy. A small portion of skin is removed to look at the number
of nerve endings.