Motor neuropathy occurs if the motor nerves which control muscle movements become damaged.
As with sensory neuropathy, the parts of the body most likely to be affected are the feet, hands, legs and arms.
Motor neuropathy can affect our body’s ability to co-ordinate movements, particularly with regard to walking which can lead to a form of foot deformity known as Charcot foot
Symptoms of motor neuropathy
The symptoms of motor neuropathy may include:
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of control of co-ordination
- Muscle twitching
- Muscle paralysis
Complications of motor neuropathy
Weakness in the muscles of the foot and loss of co-ordination can lead to unbalanced pressure being exerted on the ankle when we walk.
People with neuropathy may not notice that they are walking differently as neuropathy often results in diminished sensitivity to pain
If unbalanced pressure is exerted over a period of time it can lead to sprains, which can go unnoticed in people with neuropathy.
If further pressure is applied to the foot, through continued walking, this can lead to further bone dislocation and fractures, resulting in a deformation of the foot known as Charcot foot.
