Biopsy literally means an examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, cause, or extent of a disease.
A nerve biopsy may be necessary when a patient experiences numbness, pain, or weakness in places such as the fingers or toes.
[medical citation needed] The procedure is usually only performed when all other options have failed in determining the cause of a disease.
[2] A nerve biopsy can potentially find the cause of the numbness or pain experienced in the limbs.
[3] For this procedure, a 1-inch patch of sensory nerve is removed from the ankle or shin, during which the patient may experience temporary or permanent numbness on the top or side of the foot.