Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is damage or disease involving nerves, which may affect sensation, movement, gland or organ function and other aspects of health, depending on the type of nerve affected. Common causes include systemic diseases (such as diabetes or leprosy), vitamin deficiency, medication (e.g., chemotherapy), traumatic injury, excessive alcohol consumption, immune system disease or infection, or it may be inherited (present from birth).
Neuropathy affecting just one nerve is called "mononeuropathy" and neuropathy involving multiple nerves in roughly the same areas on both sides of the body is called "symmetrical polyneuropathy" or simply "polyneuropathy." When two or more (typically just a few, but sometimes many) separate nerves in disparate areas of the body are affected it is called "mononeuritis multiplex," "multifocal mononeuropathy" or "multiple mononeuropathy."
Steppage gait (High stepping, Neuropathic gait) is a form of gait abnormality characterised by foot drop due to loss of dorsiflexion. The foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to scrape the ground while walking, requiring someone to lift the leg higher than normal when walking.
It can be caused by damage to the deep peroneal nerve.
Neuropathic arthropathy (or neuropathic osteoarthropathy), also known as Charcot joint (often "Charcot foot"), refers to progressive degeneration of a weight bearing joint, a process marked by bony destruction, bone resorption, and eventual deformity. Onset is usually insidious.
If this pathological process continues unchecked, it could result in joint deformity, ulceration and/or superinfection, loss of function, and in the worst case scenario, amputation or death. Early identification of joint changes is the best way to limit morbidity.