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New Surgical Treatment for Diabetic And Other Neuropathies
ScienceDaily reported that new study of peripheral nerve surgery to alleviate long-standing pain and numbness in patients with diabetic neuropathy was started by Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeons and specialists in diabetes, neurology and pain management. In this study, UT Southwestern investigators are hoping to show that by releasing pressure from the specific nerves of these patients, pain may be decreased and sensation improved.
Dr. Shai Rozen, assistant professor of plastic surgery told us that many specialists previousely considered patients with neuropathy to have irreversible condition that they cannot be helped. However diabetic neuropathy is nerve-related pain - a complex problem caused by variety of factors including the length of time the patient had diabetes. Doctor emphasized that surgery they offer may be helpful only in patients they suspect have pressure on their nerves in addition to their neuropathy. UT Southwestern offers surgery on peripheral nerves, which originate from the spine.
Several studies have demonstrated that the nerves may increase in diameter in diabetic patients. This leads to compression of certain nerves in the leg that may worsen the pain and cause loss of sensation at the bottom of the foot. About one-third of patients with diabetic neuropathy have compression of nerves. Patients with this problem can chose the type of treatment. In these patients, if conservative treatment has failed, is surgical nerve release.
About one out of every six patients with ulcers require amputations - accounting for the nearly 100,000 amputations per year in the U.S. because of diabetes.
