Proximal diabetic neuropathy or lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy, previously termed diabetic amyotrophy, is a diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathies are neuropathic disorders that are associated with diabetes mellitus. These conditions are thought to result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves in addition to macrovascular conditions that can culminate in diabetic neuropathy...

 (peripheral nerve disease) characterized by painful muscle wasting and weakness. It affects the lower limbs and is typically asymmetric. Proximal diabetic neuropathy typically occurs in aged type 2 diabetic males, though it may occur in younger diabetic patients and women too.

Symptoms

• Muscle weakness and wasting most striking in the thigh and buttocks, but may also occur in the shin and foot
• Pain in the back or thighs
• Loss of knee reflex on the affected side and in the ankles

Diagnosis

Nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography are used to rule out other conditions and diagnose proximal diabetic neuropathy.

Treatment

Proximal diabetic neuropathy is very much reversible. This can be done by taking various measures.

• Controlling the blood sugar levels is the most important part of treating proximal diabetic neuropathy.
• Proper eating habits, medication, physical exercise, good mental health and avoiding harmful habits like drinking, smoking etc. all form a part of the lifestyle to control diabetes.
• Physical therapy to restore the nerves in the legs is very useful. Physical therapy brings back feeling in the legs.
• Medication helps reduce the pain involved in proximal diabetic neuropathy.