Sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Central nervous system

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Alternative Names:

Polyneuropathy - sensorimotor
Treatment:

The goals of treatment include finding the cause, maximizing self-care ability and independence, and controlling symptoms.

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The cause should be identified and treated whenever possible. This may include such things as controlling blood sugar levels for diabetics, abstaining from alcohol, and taking daily nutritional supplements. If medications (such as some treatments for HIV) are causing the problem, these should be identified and changed, if possible.

MAXIMIZE SELF-CARE AND INDEPENDENCE

Physical therapy, vocational therapy, occupational therapy, and orthopedic interventions may be recommended to promote self-care ability and independence.

For example, exercises and retraining may increase muscle strength and control. Appliances such as wheelchairs, braces, or splints may provide mobility or help support an extremity so that it can be used.

CONTROL OF SYMPTOMS

Safety is an important consideration for people with neuropathy. Lack of muscle control may increase the risk of falls or other injuries. Also, decreased sensation may increase the risk of falls and injuries because the person is unable to perceive a potential source of harm.

Safety measures for people with difficulty in movement may include the use of railings, removal of obstacles (such as loose rugs that may slip on the floor), and other measures as appropriate.

Safety measures for people experiencing difficulty with sensation include awareness of the lack of sensation and compensation through other measures. Specific measures may include the use of adequate lighting (including lights left on at night), testing of water temperature before bathing, use of protective shoes (such as those with closed toes and low heels), and similar measures.

People with decreased sensation should check their feet (or other affected area) frequently for bruises, open skin areas, or other injury, which may go unnoticed and become severely infected.

Shoes should be checked inside frequently for grit or rough spots that may injure the feet. Patients with sensorimotor neuropathy should be evaluated by a podiatrist to reduce the risk of injury to the feet.

People with neuropathy are prone to new nerve injury at pressure points (such as knees and elbows). They should avoid prolonged pressure on these areas from leaning on the elbows, crossing the knees, or being in similar positions.