Peripheral Neuropathy

Expert Neurological Care at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

Peripheral neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes are conditions that affect the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord. These conditions may cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, often in the hands or feet. At the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, we specialise in comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation pathways for individuals living with these often-debilitating disorders.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of the nerves that carry signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. It can affect:

• Sensory nerves – controlling sensation (e.g. touch, temperature, pain)
• Motor nerves – controlling muscle movement
• Autonomic nerves – controlling involuntary functions (e.g. heart rate, digestion)

Causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Diabetes (a leading cause)
• Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus, Guillain-Barré syndrome)
• Infections (e.g. shingles, Lyme disease)
• Trauma or surgery
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Alcohol misuse
• Certain medications (e.g. chemotherapy drugs)

Nerve Compression Syndromes

Nerve compression, or “entrapment,” occurs when a nerve is compressed by surrounding tissues, such as muscles, tendons, or bones. Common examples include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression in the wrist)
• Ulnar nerve entrapment (elbow)
• Radial tunnel syndrome (forearm)
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome (ankle)
• Sciatic nerve compression (sciatica)

Compression may develop from repetitive movement, poor posture, injury, or structural abnormalities.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms vary depending on the affected nerve but typically include:

• Burning, stabbing, or shooting pain
• Numbness or tingling (pins and needles)
• Muscle weakness or cramping
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Heightened sensitivity to touch (allodynia)
• Difficulty with fine motor skills

When to Seek Medical Attention

You should consult a specialist if you:

• Have persistent or worsening numbness or weakness
• Experience pain that interferes with daily life or sleep
• Notice reduced mobility or manual dexterity
• Have underlying conditions like diabetes or autoimmune disorders

Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent long-term damage and improve recovery outcomes.

Our Approach at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital

We provide a fully integrated, consultant-led programme for patients with peripheral neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes. This includes:

Advanced Diagnostics:

• Nerve conduction studies
• Electromyography (EMG)
• MRI and ultrasound-guided imaging

Treatment Options:

• Pain management and medication review
• Splinting and offloading devices
• Specialist neuro-physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)
• Hydrotherapy
• Minimally invasive surgery (if indicated)

Neurorehabilitation Programmes:

• Individualised therapy plans
• Gait and balance retraining
• Strength and coordination improvement
• Education on long-term nerve health

Our multidisciplinary teams ensure continuity of care from initial assessment through to inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation and follow-up.

Why Choose Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital?

As one of the UK’s leading private neurorehabilitation centres, our hospital combines cutting-edge neurological care with a supportive, patient-centred environment. Our specialists work collaboratively to improve quality of life and promote functional recovery.

Our Resident Neurologist

Dr Weatherall is very welcoming and highly experienced. He offers his patients sound diagnosis and treatment, along with individual care focused on their future health.

Dr Mark Weatherall

Consultant Neurologist

Field