peripheral neuropathy

noun

: a disease or degenerative state of the peripheral nerves in which motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve fibers may be affected and which is marked by muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness

Examples of peripheral neuropathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One possible outcome is peripheral neuropathy, damaged nerves in the arms, hands, and feet. —Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 Dec. 2025

Numbness Nerve damage in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy), can happen over time in people with high blood sugar. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 19 Nov. 2025

Still others bore amputations after diabetes complications led to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that blunts sensation in the extremities. —Carrie Arnold, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025

But first, in 2014, the SINAPSE lab conducted a clinical trial with National University Hospital to see if cooling the limbs would help patients with peripheral neuropathy. —Joanna Goodrich, IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for peripheral neuropathy

• cardiomyopathy
• coagulopathy
• encephalopathy
• homoeopathy
• polyneuropathy
• radiculopathy
• enteropathy
• myelopathy
• retinopathy
• myopathy
• psychopathy

Medical Definition

peripheral neuropathy

noun

: a disease or degenerative state (as polyneuropathy) of the peripheral nerves in which motor, sensory, or vasomotor nerve fibers may be affected and which is marked by muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness