Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder, a complication of diabetes.
It can lead to problems throughout the body. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but significant clinical neuropathy can develop within the first 10 years after receiving a diabetes diagnosis. The risk of developing neuropathy increases the longer a person has diabetes. About 60 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. It also has the potential to damage blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to the nerves.