Dear Robin:
Sorry, I didn't explain myself. A root problem means that the problem is where the spinal nerves exit the spinal cord. We call these anterior or posterior roots, or sensory or motor roots.
CCF Neuro MD
Thank you for your response. I know this may sound stupid, but what is a root problem? I didn't understand what that means.
Robin
Dear Robin:
In many cases a peripheral neuropathy can be symmetric or bilateral. However, depending on the etiology it can be one-sided. For instance, in a patient with a collagen-vascular disorder we may see the initial signs as a asymmetric or one-sided neuropathy. Trauma can give an one-sided neuropathy. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy can present as an asymmetric polyneuropathy. If there is a root problem, one can see this be one-sided also. So, although your neurologist is correct, especially for systemic causes of polyneuropathy, we can and do see asymmetric neuropathy.
CCF Neuro MD