Peripheral neuropathy is a general term referring to disorders of peripheral nerves. The peripheral nervous system is made up of the nerves that branch out of the spinal cord to all parts of the body.
One type of peripheral neuropathy, peroneal nerve palsy results when the nerve at the top of the calf behind the knee is compressed. This leads to a condition called "drop foot".
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a neurological disorder where the peripheral nerves are damaged due to diabetes. The nerve damage can cause a number of symptoms including pain, loss of sensation and tingling. The pain, loss of sensation and tingling usually start in the peripheral areas such as the toes but may spread to the feet and hands.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can result in two types of problems. 1st, there can be a loss of ability to feel pain and other sensations - this puts the foot at risk of being damaged and not knowing about it, and further aggravate the injuries. 2nd, there can be symptoms of pain and burning (painful neuropathy) which might cause lots of discomfort.
Which is why people diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy will want to protect the foot with good fitting footwear specifically designed for diabetics. Diabetics shoes, socks and insoles to give optimum protection and comfort.
Some experts recommend the use of magnetic insoles, for relieving discomfort of diabetic neuropathy (also effective for plantar fasciitis), it is said to have help improve blood circulation and a double-blind study conducted at the New York Medical College with patients having symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed significant reductions in burning, numbness and tingling, and exercise-induced foot pain in the group wearing the magnetic inserts.
