eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Plexopathy

Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy: Follow-up

Author: Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 10, 2008

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • Because of the sudden onset of functional loss, some patients with diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy may need to be transferred to a subacute rehabilitation facility or a convalescent home for several months, until they recover strength.
  • Most patients are able to avoid inpatient care for this condition.

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients with diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy may derive further benefit from a course of outpatient physical therapy, achieving their maximum potential in terms of functional mobility and lower extremity strength.

Prognosis

  • Good functional recovery within 12-24 months is expected in 60% of patients with diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy.
  • Mild weakness, discomfort, and stiffness often persist for years.
  • Occasional relapses can occur.

Patient Education

  • The patient should be educated in the importance of good glycemic control in conjunction with proper diet and exercise.26
  • During rehabilitation, the patient should be taught exercises to regain strength in the affected muscle groups, in order to improve functional recovery.

Related Medscape topics:
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CME Managing Type 2 Diabetes: Developing Office-based Systems of Care
CME Weight Loss May Improve Glycemic Control and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes 

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Familiarity with the clinical setting of this condition and prompt diagnosis are medicolegally important. It is especially important to distinguish this disorder from compressive radiculopathy in order to avoid unnecessary surgery.
  • Misdiagnosis can cause significant concerns for the patient and his/her family and could trigger a medicolegal lawsuit.
 


More on Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy

Overview: Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Treatment & Medication: Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
Follow-up: Diabetic Lumbosacral Plexopathy
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

diabetic lumbosacral plexopathy, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus type 1, diabetes mellitus type 2, type 1 diabetes, diabetes type 1, type 2 diabetes, diabetes 1, diabetes 2, diabetic neuropathy, neuropathy, lumbosacral, lumbar sacral, plexopathy, lumbosacral plexopathy, proximal neuropathy, amyotrophy, diabetic amyotrophy, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy, DSPN, polyneuropathy, Bruns-Garland syndrome, diabetic proximal neuropathy, diabetic lumbosacral polyradiculopathy, polyradiculopathy, diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy(DLRPN), diabetic femoral neuropathy, ischemic mononeuropathymultiplex associated with diabetes mellitus, proximal lower limb motor neuropathy

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Divakara Kedlaya, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Teresa L Massagli, MD, Residency Director, Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine
Teresa L Massagli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Michael T Andary, MD, MS, Residency Program Director, Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Robert H Meier III, MD, Director, Amputee Services of America; Active Medical Staff, Presbyterian/St Luke's Hospital, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital; Consulting Staff, Kindred Hospital
Robert H Meier III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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