Blog · Boston Limb
What Is DPNCheck? Understanding a Test for Diabetic Nerve Health
Most tests for diabetic nerve damage are either a quick clinical impression, such as a tuning fork or a nylon filament pressed against the foot, or a full nerve conduction study in a hospital neurophysiology lab. DPNCheck sits between the two: an objective nerve measurement, done at the ankle in a few minutes, during an ordinary consultation.
What it measures
DPNCheck is a US FDA-cleared, point-of-care nerve conduction device. It stimulates the sural nerve, a sensory nerve that runs down the outside of the lower leg to the ankle, and records two things: how large the nerve's response is (amplitude) and how fast the signal travels (conduction velocity). Both are compared with reference values adjusted for age and height. The sural nerve is used because it is one of the first nerves affected in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and because its response is easy to record at the ankle.
What the test feels like
A small sensor is placed on the outside of the ankle. The device delivers a few brief electrical pulses, felt as a tap or a tingle, and records the response. The whole measurement takes a few minutes, it is done in the consultation room during the same visit, and there is no laboratory appointment and no waiting for a report.
What the number means
A normal result means the large sensory fibres of the sural nerve are conducting as expected for someone of that age and height. A reduced amplitude or velocity means the nerve is not conducting normally, which supports a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and gives a baseline that can be repeated later to follow change over time.
The result is an objective measure, a number rather than an impression. That matters in diabetes, where neuropathy often begins before there are symptoms, and where symptoms, when present, can be hard to judge from history alone.
What it does not decide
- It measures the large nerve fibres. Small-fibre neuropathy, which causes burning and pain, can be present with a normal DPNCheck result; the examination and the history still matter
- It does not say why the nerve is damaged. Diabetes is the usual cause, but B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, kidney disease, alcohol, some medicines and nerve compression in the spine are checked as well
- It does not replace a full nerve conduction study when one is needed, for example when the pattern of symptoms points to something other than diabetic neuropathy
- It does not set the plan on its own. The consultant reads it alongside the examination, the history and the blood results
Who it is for
People with diabetes who have burning, tingling, numbness or reduced feeling in the feet; people with diabetes and no symptoms, where early detection of nerve damage changes how carefully the feet are protected; and people with a foot wound, where knowing the state of the nerves is part of understanding why the wound is there.
How it fits into a visit at Boston Limb
- History: symptoms, diabetes control, medicines
- Examination of the feet: skin, pressure points, pulses, temperature and colour
- Sensation and protective-sensation testing
- DPNCheck nerve conduction testing where it adds information
- Blood tests where indicated
- A written plan before leaving
Not everyone needs every test; the consultant chooses according to the findings. DPNCheck is never offered as a stand-alone screening or as a free test; it is part of a clinical assessment.
Book a Foot and Nerve Evaluation
One visit assesses the wound, the nerves, the circulation and the diabetes behind them, with FDA-cleared DPNCheck nerve testing on site. Gachibowli, Hyderabad. Mon to Sat, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Related reading
Burning Feet at Night: Could It Be Diabetic Neuropathy?
Why burning, tingling or numb feet are often noticed at night, and why they deserve a proper evaluation.
Why Diabetic Foot Ulcers Sometimes Fail to Heal
The common factors that slow healing, the warning signs of infection, and why a careful assessment matters.
Written by the Boston Limb care team. The information in this article is general and does not replace an individual consultation or teleconsultation. Assessment and treatment depend on clinical evaluation, and outcomes vary.