How is diabetes-related neuropathy diagnosed?
How is diabetes-related neuropathy diagnosed?
Diabetes-related neuropathy diagnosis usually involves a foot exam. Your healthcare provider checks your feet for sores, blisters or injuries. Your provider may also touch your feet with special instruments to check for decreased sensations.
If your provider suspects nerve damage, you may have an electromyogram (EMG). This test measures electrical activity or nerve response. During an EMG:
- Your provider connects electrodes to your body.
- You contract or move certain muscles, such as lifting your leg or wiggling your toes.
- Nerve activity displays on an oscilloscope (monitor that shows electrical signals as a wave).
The size and shape of the oscilloscope wave vary based on your nerve response. Looking at this wave gives your provider information about the extent of nerve damage.