How to better systematize the diagnosis of neuropathy?

Abstract

Two attitudes can be proposed, one consisting of making a diagnosis of neuropathy, the other seeking to grade the stage that it has reached in order to give a prognosis and above all determine the right way in which to educate the patient. In order to do this, it is important for the diagnosis to be thorough. It should be based both on listening to what the patient has to say and examining him/her. It is vital to listen to the patient because the warning signs are discreet, yet very evocative, and they will be a great help in making a positive diagnosis. They should not be confused with signs of arterial damage. They should then be interpreted by means of clinical examination and the tools that are available, i.e. essentially monitoring the osteo-tendinous reflexes and sensory signs. The sensory signs can only be studied with high-quality instruments, i.e. either a monofilament of proven technical quality and that should be used with care in line with good clinical practice recommendations, or by using a graduated tuning fork, or a neuroesthesiometer which will make it possible to obtained graduated responses, not simply binary responses of the "yes/no" variety. A whole series of scores have been put forward combining both functional and physical signs, making it possible to try to quantify the stage reached and the extent of the neuropathy. It is only by using a thorough and regularly applied routine that we can progress to establishing a better prognosis and providing a better educational service for the patient.