Treatment for peripheral Neuropathy with B12 Injections

Peripheral Neuropathy is changes to the sensory nerves and often the motor nerves that occurs often in a symmetrical pattern in the feet and sometimes legs. Common causes include metabolic diseases as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, infections, and chemotherapy, often leading to a “glove and stocking” sensation. Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause, and here at Cheltenham Podiatry our expert podiatrists have great success with Vitamin B12 injections under ultrasound guidance to the affected nerves to provide symptom relief and in some cases improved muscle function. There is various papers on the use of B12 for nerve damage. We are one of the first clinics to use b12 under ultrasound guidance for direct placement onto the affected nerves for peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy

Symptoms arise from damaged nerves and vary based on the nerve type affected (sensory, motor, or autonomic)

• Sensory Nerve Damage: Tingling, numbness, “pins and needles,” intense burning pain, or extreme sensitivity to touch.
• Motor Nerve Damage: Muscle weakness, cramping, twitching (fasciculations), and loss of balance or coordination.
• Autonomic Nerve Damage:  excessive/lack of sweating.
• Progression: Symptoms often start in the toes or fingers and move upward towards the knees

Causes and Risk Factors
Peripheral neuropathy is not a single disease but an umbrella term for nerve damage caused by many conditions: 

• Diabetes: The most common cause, especially with poor blood sugar control.
• Medical Conditions: Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), infections (shingles, HIV, Lyme disease), kidney disease, liver disease, or vitamin deficiencies (especially B1, B6, B12, E).
• Toxins/Medications: Chemotherapy agents, alcohol abuse, and heavy metal exposure.
• Risk Factors: Age over 40, smoking, and long-term diabetes.

Prognosis and Treatment

• Prognosis: The outlook depends on the cause. Peripheral nerves can regenerate (roughly 1 to 3 mm per day), meaning some damage can be reversed in some cases. However, some cases result in permanent or chronic damage. It is strongly advised to ensure your metabolic or auto immune conditions are controlled by your specialist doctors, if you are a diabetic ensure you see a dietician, regular podiatrist to help prevent further damage.

• Treatment: It is important to treat the underlying cause (e.g., managing blood sugar) or the auto immune condition, physical therapy can be helpful and pain management.
•  Here at Cheltenham Podiatry our expert foot and ankle practitioners can provide B12 injections via ultrasound guidance to the affected nerves. This can help treat the root cause, that is help to repair and regenerate the damaged nerves and normalise their function. This reduces pain and can improve motor function and balance. Jacqueline is out expert podiatrist with over 10 yrs training in ultrasound guidance and regenerative therapies for foot and leg conditions. It is a simple , safe technique, with minimal down time. This has been very successful for many patients . If you or you know someone whom is suffering with debilitating pain of peripheral neuropathy, please call and make a time to see if you are a good candidate for the treatment.