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Are you looking for more relief for your diabetic feet without relying on medication alone? Well, you are in luck. With the emergence of new technology, treatments and procedures, diabetics can now receive peripheral nerve decompression surgery to relieve diabetic neuropathy symptoms. Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication associated with diabetes. It is damage to the nerves that allow you to feel sensations such as pain. Diabetes can damage nerves in a number of ways, but they all seem to be related to blood sugar being too high for long periods of time. Diabetics are at a huge risk for foot problems and must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences. With the use of peripheral nerve decompression surgery, relief may be possible. Through decompression of multiple peripheral nerves, relief can be found. What is Peripheral Nerve Decompression Surgery? Uncontrolled diabetes causes nerves to swell. Glucose enters the nerves to provide energy and it is then converted to another sugar, sorbitol, which attracts water. As sorbitol draws water into your nerves, the nerves will swell. The swelling alone does not cause the tingling, numbness and pain common to diabetic neuropathy, though. Symptoms result when nerves swell in anatomic regions that are already narrow. For instance, you will see this in the protective tunnels leading to the hands and feet. Peripheral nerve decompression surgery is performed to relieve pressure from swollen nerves in patients with diabetes. Benefits of Surgery In recent studies it was shown that about 80% of patients with diabetic neuropathy experienced improved sensory and motor functions after nerve decompression surgery. In addition they exhibited reduced pain, and an improved balance. Patients who had the surgery and who had restored sensation did not develop an ulcer. From this, one can see that the surgery allows a change of the natural course of disease for many diabetes patients. Unfortunately, decompression surgery cannot change the metabolic problems that cause the nerves to swell, but it can relieve the compression that causes the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The surgery restores blood blow to the nerves, ends symptoms of numbness and tingling, and allows nerves to recover when performed early in the course of nerve compression. Are You a Candidate for Surgery? Preferably, peripheral nerve decompression surgery is performed in the earlier stages of disease. This is before all feeling is gone or ulceration develops. Patients who wait too long to seek treatment, may experience permanent nerve damage that will not be repaired or regrown after surgery. For patients who have a history of ulcers or toe amputation, it will not necessarily mean that they cannot have surgery or that it is too late. It is up to your Memphis, TN podiatrist to consider all options in treatment. Peripheral nerve decompression surgery is not for everyone, but with proper consultation and examination, your podiatrist will create a proper treatment plan for your individual diabetic needs.
Dr. Nathan Lucas of Advanced Foot and Ankle Care of Memphis, LLC is a leading foot surgeon and podiatrist in Memphis. He is a board certified foot surgeon specializing in reconstructive, revisional and cosmetic foot and ankle surgery. Services include the treatment of bunions, heel pain, fungal toenails and plantar fasciitis in Memphis.
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