Skin Biopsy

A skin biopsy is done to diagnose certain conditions such as small fiber neuropathy. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and involves taking a small punch biopsy usually from the skin from the ankle and foot.

The bioptic material is then analyzed under a microscope.This diagnosis may sometimes explain pain, numbness or sensory disturbances that were not diagnosed before.

Small fiber neuropathy can be caused by many medical conditions or may be idiopathic. There are some implications of this condition with fibromyalgia,that are still not fully understood.