Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can be diagnosed with a history and physical examination. The diagnosis is considered in people who develop pain or numbness in a leg or foot with a history of diabetes. Muscle weakness, pain, balance loss, and lower limb dysfunction are the most common clinical manifestations. Physical exam findings may include changes in appearance of the feet, presence of ulceration, and diminished ankle reflexes. The most useful physical examination finding for large fiber neuropathy is an abnormally decreased vibration perception to a 128-Hz tuning fork (likelihood ratio (LR) range, 16–35) or pressure sensation with a 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (LR range, 11–16). Normal results on vibration testing (LR range, 0.33–0.51) or monofilament (LR range, 0.09–0.54) make large fiber peripheral neuropathy from diabetes less likely. Nerve conduction tests may show reduced functioning of the peripheral nerves, but seldom correlate with the severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and are not appropriate as routine tests for the condition. Small fiber neuropathy measured by QST and Sudomotor function tests, through electrochemical skin conductance, is more and more indicated to assess early signs of<unk>  and autonomic neuropathy. Classification<unk>  encompasses a series of different neuropathic syndromes which can be categorized as follows: * Focal and multifocal neuropathies: * Mononeuropathy which affects one nerve * Amyotrophy or radiculopathy such as proximal<unk> , affecting a specific pattern of nerves * Multiple lesions, affecting nerves that don't follow a specific pattern, also called "mononeuritis multiplex" * Nerve damage from entrapment (e.g. median, ulnar, peroneal) * Symmetrical neuropathies: * Sensory * Autonomic * Distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN), the diabetic type of which is also known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) (most common presentation)
Diabetic neuropathy
Vasculitic neuropathy
Tropical neuropathy
Proximal diabetic neuropathy
Small fiber peripheral neuropathy
Alcoholic polyneuropathy
Autonomic neuropathy
Peripheral mononeuropathy