Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves), often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet.
More than 20 million people in the United States have been estimated to have some form of peripheral neuropathy, but this figure may be significantly higher as not all people with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are tested for the disease. Neuropathy is often misdiagnosed due to its complex array of symptoms.