Conditions · Diabetes complications
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage from prolonged high blood sugar, most often felt as numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet — and it's often silent until nerve damage is advanced, which is why objective testing alongside symptom questions matters.
Symptoms
- Numbness or reduced sensation in the feet or hands
- Tingling or a burning sensation
- Sharp, stabbing pain, often worse at night
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Reduced ability to feel injuries on the feet
Causes & risk factors
- Long-duration or poorly-controlled diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Being overweight
- Smoking
How it’s diagnosed
Alongside a symptom and history review, point-of-care nerve conduction testing (DPN Check) can help detect peripheral neuropathy objectively, in minutes, rather than relying on symptom questions alone.
How it’s treated
Treatment centers on tighter glucose control and addressing contributing risk factors, alongside managing pain or symptoms where present. There is no cure for existing nerve damage, so early detection matters.
When to seek care
- A wound or sore on the foot that isn't healing
- Sudden loss of sensation
- Signs of infection (redness, warmth, swelling, discharge)
FAQ
Can diabetic neuropathy be reversed?
Existing nerve damage generally can't be fully reversed, which is why early detection and tight glucose control to prevent progression matter.
What is DPN Check?
A point-of-care sural nerve conduction test that returns results in 30–60 seconds, used alongside a clinical exam rather than in place of one. See the DPN Check treatment page for details.
Sources
- American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026
- DPN Check manufacturer-reported validation data (dpncheck.com) — cited as manufacturer meta-analysis data, not independent findings
Medical disclaimer: Content on this page is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Outcomes vary between patients. Boston Diabetes Center is outpatient / day-care specialty centre with an on-site diagnostic lab and pharmacy — no inpatient beds; imaging and inpatient care are coordinated through partner facilities.