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Tag: Neuropathy

Fact vs. Fiction: Neuropathy

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Neuropathy is a frustrating, debilitating, painful, and, most discouragingly, a confusing disease. If you or someone you know has neuropathy, chances are they have really struggled with finding accurate knowledge on the subject, and with all the information out there it can be overwhelming deciphering what’s true from what isn’t.

Though neuropathy is a fairly common disease, it is not widely known about. One of the first struggles with neuropathy is getting it properly diagnosed. Also, there are so many thoughts and opinions on neuropathy that you may hear conflicting or even false information. As doctors who specialize in neuropathy and treatments for it, we have compiled a helpful list of fact versus fiction to finally help you better understand your neuropathy.

Neuropathy Facts:

  1. There are a wide variety of symptoms, and not everyone experiences them all.
    • The most common symptoms include: muscle weakness, twitching, tingling, loss of balance, numbness, burning, prickling sensations, and/or nerve pain in your legs or feet, and symptoms can vary from one foot to the other.
  1. Neuropathy is progressive.
    • This is one of the most important facts to know! Neuropathy will get worse over time, so if you have symptoms do not delay treatment. Some patients wait until their symptoms are more severe before seeking treatment, which can reduce the chance to reverse or alleviate them.
  1. Neuropathy is a fancy word for nerve damage.
    • Though it may sound simple, this is exactly what neuropathy is. It’s the disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves.
  1. There are treatments that can reverse neuropathy symptoms.
    • Though many don’t realize this, there are treatment options that have had huge success in reversing, or at the very least improving some people’s neuropathy. These treatments include:
      • MLS Laser Therapy– helps to reduce pain and inflammation and improve nerve function.
      • Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ESTIM)– helps to decrease chronic nerve pain, often done in conjunction with nerve blocks.
      • Nutritional counseling– when done in tangent with MLS and/or ESTIM can help reverse symptoms.
      • Nerve decompressing surgery– opens up the tight nerve tunnel to allow the nerve to function properly, is a viable option for the majority of patients, and offers the very real hope of reversing neuropathy’s effects, allowing you to move with little to no pain or instability.

Neuropathy Fiction:

  1. Neuropathy only affects diabetics.
    • Although neuropathy is common in people with diabetes, it is a misconception that it only affects those with it. It can have many other causes including injury, infections, alcoholism, and even certain cancers. There are also unknown (idiopathic) causes
  1. If the pain subsides or goes away, you are getting better.
    • False! This is a very dangerous fallacy. When symptoms seem to be getting better they are often actually getting worse, because the later stages of neuropathy can cause numbness making you not feel the pain that is actually there.
  1. I will always have to be on medication.
    • Though medications are commonly the first step in treating neuropathy, they typically come with unwanted side effects or are ineffective. What people don’t understand is that by seeking other treatments options like the ones listed above, you can reduce or even get off your medication.
  1. Any doctor can help treat neuropathy.
    • Although most doctors know what neuropathy is, they are not all equal in understanding or treating it. Our doctors at Anderson Podiatry Center are members of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons. These national and international physician and PHD members receive specialty training and have a minimum two years’ experience in diagnosing and treating neuropathy. AENS members are committed to disseminating current effective treatment knowledge, and to ongoing research that supports the treatment of extremity nerve disease.

These are just some of the basic misunderstandings on neuropathy. If you suffer from neuropathy come see us today so you can finally get the help you deserve!

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Nerve Monitoring in Surgery: Improvements and Results

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nerve pain

I recently was paid a visit by two scientists from the Medtronics medical device company. They came to our office and surgery center to help expand the way I evaluate and monitor improvement of nerve function during the nerve surgeries I do.  It was a messy process and frustrating at first, but by the end of the day, and at the end of the week the entire team had a much greater regard for how this was providing better service to patients, and how useful the information we were gathering will be to share with patients suffering from neuropathy and restless legs.

So, what’s all the fuss about nerve monitoring anyway?

  1. What is nerve monitoring? 

Intraoperative nerve monitoring is an invaluable technique employed during surgery to gauge the surgery’s impact on the affected nerve in real-time. This sophisticated method involves the placement of small needle electrodes within the target muscle area. These electrodes effectively capture and measure the signals transmitted by the nerve when it is stimulated during the surgical procedure. This allows us to obtain precise baseline readings before the nerve is decompressed or released.

One of the significant advantages of intraoperative nerve monitoring is that it provides the surgeon with immediate feedback regarding the progress of the procedure. By continuously assessing the nerve’s signals during surgery, the surgeon can make real-time adjustments and fine-tune the decompression process. This dynamic approach ensures that the desired outcome, such as relieving nerve compression, is achieved effectively and efficiently. It also enhances the overall safety and success of the surgical intervention.

  1. Why is this important to you, the patient?

Sometimes we are so close to what we do we forget the uniqueness of it, so that’s why I’m writing this blog.  Because we do this with every nerve case we perform, we have amassed more experience and data over the past several years than anywhere in the world. We are also the primary center for improving the concept.  No other surgery center, hospital, etc. does what we do. Because of this we feel we can better optimize the patient’s outcome.

  1. Value based medicine: the new buzz word. But what is it?

As healthcare progresses in our society this term has increased in importance. It refers to employing evidence-based medicine and proven treatments in determining the best outcomes for patients. When it comes to the nerve procedures we do, there is no other place that does the volume of work we do for as long as we’ve done it by recording our results before the patient leaves the operating room.

Strong statement? Maybe a little, but we also understand the importance of value based medicine, and believe it’s important to demonstrate to the consumer the effectiveness of a given treatment or procedure so the patient can make the best decisions about their care.

  1. So, why use nerve monitoring?

Aside from the above, we have a sincere respect for the nerves of the foot and leg-weird as that may seem. Nerve monitoring has long been used during procedures in the back, face, or neck; it’s about time and lower extremity got the same due!

Neuropathy is our passion, and developing procedures, and testing outcomes is important to further the availability of treatments that actually help people who suffer from this debilitating disease.

At Anderson Podiatry Center, neuropathy is more than just a medical condition; it’s our calling and our passion. Our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those suffering from this debilitating disease drives us to continually advance our knowledge and treatment options. We firmly believe that developing innovative procedures and rigorously testing their outcomes are essential steps toward expanding the availability of effective neuropathy treatments.
One of our groundbreaking contributions to the field of neuropathy treatment is our pioneering work in nerve monitoring within the lower extremities. This cutting-edge technique has enabled us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in neuropathy care. By meticulously monitoring nerve activity during procedures, we can make real-time adjustments and tailor treatments to the specific needs of each patient.
We invite you to connect with us today to explore the remarkable advancements we’ve made in the realm of neuropathy management. Our dedicated team is eager to share our expertise and insights, ensuring that you receive the most innovative and effective solutions for your neuropathy-related challenges. We are genuinely here to make a meaningful difference in your life and provide the relief you deserve. Together, we can combat neuropathy and work toward a brighter, pain-free future.

nerve monitoring in the lower extremity

3 Essential Books for Understanding and Living with Neuropathy

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Your legs and feet are one of the most important parts of our body; they carry you everywhere you go. So, naturally, leg and feet issues can greatly disrupt your daily life. This is sadly the case for the many people who suffer from neuropathy– or nerve pain. Neuropathy is painful, frustrating, and debilitating, and with all the information out there it can be overwhelming finding good, accurate sources of information, but it doesn’t have to be.

First of all, you might have neuropathy and not even know it. Some symptoms to look for with neuropathy include muscle weakness, twitching, tingling, burning, loss of balance, numbness, prickling sensations, and/or nerve pain in your legs or feet. Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, injury, infections, certain cancers, and alcohol, and it is progressive and will worsen over time.

To help you correctly live with and understand your neuropathy we have found three essential books to read:

  1. Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health– by Richard Jacoby, DPM

Even though this book is not solely on neuropathy, it is still an excellent resource for those who suffer from it. Sugar Crush was written by a leading peripheral nerve surgeon. In it he explains why sugar and carbohydrates are harmful to the body’s nerves, and how eliminating them may help mitigate or even reverse nerve damage.

He goes on to describe how a diet high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, and wheat compresses and damages the peripheral nerves of the body. This leads to pain, numbness, and tinging in hands and feet. Sound familiar? These are the same symptoms as neuropathy, which is why this book is a great resource for you!

  1. Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy: How to handle stress, disability, anxiety, fatigue, depression, pain, and relationships– by Scott Berman, MD CIDP

Unfortunately, living with chronic pain and a debilitating disease affects much more than just your physical body. It affects your emotions, causes other problems such as anxiety and depression, and often affects those around you as well.

However, keep in mind that although this book may help you cope with the chronic pain you currently live with, you might not always have to. Just as Sugar Crush discusses, there are possible treatments that may reverse neuropathy symptoms and help stop chronic pain.

  1. Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief: Guided Practices for Reclaiming Your Body and Your Life– by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Those who suffer from neuropathy often complain of chronic pain as well. If you live a life shaped by pain, you understand the physical and emotional sufferings that usually accompany it. In this book you can learn how to rely on meditation, rather than solely medication, to ease your pain. Often neuropathy patients complain about all the medications they have to take that don’t always work, and almost always come with unwanted side effects. Here is a great alternative.

According to customer reviews, this book offers meditation techniques for beginners, so anyone can use it and find relief, while also discovering new freedom and improved quality of life. However, same with the above book mentioned, remember that there are treatments for neuropathy that have been able to reverse symptoms for many patients, enabling them to live pain free.

These books are very helpful for living with neuropathy, but they are not your only source of information. Speak to a podiatrist to learn all about your disease, and more importantly how you may be able to reverse your symptoms with promising treatment options.

Understanding and Living with Neuropathy

The One Thing Regarding Your Nerve Pain

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nerve pain in leg

I recently read a book called The One Thing. The concept was simple: with all the noise and distractions that we have in our lives it’s important to focus on that one thing that is most important. Not an easy task.

Some of you may have remembered the movie City Slickers where the cowboy character Curly challenged the City Slicker character played by Billy Crystal who seemed to be going through a midlife crisis, and he needed to find that one thing.

At Anderson Podiatry Center for Nerve Pain when we explain nerve conditions in the lower extremity we try to keep it simple. We must play the role of a teacher, as most patients have no idea about our concepts of treating nerve conditions. We constantly have to introduce patients to the new concepts that we follow. So whether its neuropathy, drop foot or restless legs it gets back to that one thing.

It may not be by accident that you don’t know about the one thing. Some of you are not aware of the one thing as no doctor has told you, and most of all Big Pharma would never like for you to know what I’m telling you. They would rather keep you on the drugs. So what is this one thing? In one-word: compression. Yes, compression of nerves.

We all are born with nerve tunnels in the legs. Five of them lie below the knee. You probably have heard of carpel tunnel in the hand. There are several other nerve tunnels in the arms that frequently become tight and squeeze or compress the nerves traveling through them. NO one questions this, and drugs are frequently one of the last treatments recommended. The legs and feet should not be any different.

Sadly, the medical awareness and understanding of the tunnels in the lower extremity are 30 years behind understanding of the upper extremity. Why must medicine continue to offer less than optimal solutions for your neuropathy and restless legs problems? Why aren’t’ you educated about the potentials to have a chance of a permanent solution to your problem? The reasons are multiple, but that’s a discussion for another day.

So for now please open your mind to what I have been doing since 2002. When you come in we listen to where your symptoms are, and based upon that my attention is directed to one or more of these five tunnels. It’s really a very simple concept. We don’t discriminate. We simply treat the lower extremity like the upper extremity.

So, I challenge you to reconsider your options when you’re told that you have neuropathy or restless legs and there is nothing you can do except take drugs and live with it. Others may tell you that your nerve symptoms are from your back and you need a back injection, surgery or chiropractic care. It’s a constant story: my back or neuropathy.

Consider the one thing. It could be that your problem lies where your neuropathy pain or restless legs symptoms exist in the leg. We’ve learned not to discriminate because we consider the one thing. And because of that knowledge I feel we are better able to give you a chance at permanent reversal of your problems.

Please give us an opportunity to help you understand that one thing: compression. It may make the difference between years of drugs, being inactive, weight gain, depression and lack of sleep.

Don’t do what most people do, give up searching and never learn about the one thing: compression, and the five nerves that it affects.

4 Ways Your Weight Affects Your Feet

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Your feet are a vital part of your daily activity; they are responsible for carrying your entire body around. When you suffer from foot pain, whether temporary or chronic, everyday activities suddenly—and frustratingly—become much harder to accomplish.

There are many causes for foot pain, but a common culprit is your body weight. As troublesome as foot pain is, it’s not hopeless!

It’s important to remember that your feet not only carry your body weight; they also absorb the impact of each step you take. When they’re carrying more weight around, they’re put under more stress, which in turn puts more stress on the tissue and wears down the foot structure.  Being overweight by even 25 pounds increases the stress on your feet.

Here are four of the main ways that your weight can negatively affect your feet:

  1. Tendon Inflammation – Carrying too much weight causes you to change your posture, which shifts your body weight to the inside. This weight shift puts extra pressure on your arches and tendons, often resulting in tendonitis.
  2. Plantar Fascia Inflammation – The plantar fascia is the soft band of tissue on the sole of your foot that connects the heel bone to the toes. When it becomes inflamed it causes plantar fasciitis, a stabbing sensation in the heel that makes it painful to walk.
  3. Osteoarthritis – This is the breakdown of cartilage in joints. Though this most commonly affects knees and hips, it also causes swollen and stiff joints in your ankles.
  4. Nerve Pain – Burning, tingling, or numbness are typically a result of nerve pain, which stems from neuropathy and neuromas.

As discouraging as foot pain can be, there are ways to reduce or even eliminate it. Losing weight is one of the best ways to decrease foot pain, but since walking or even standing can be uncomfortable, it can be difficult to exercise.

Here are a few other ways to help decrease your weight-related foot pain:

  • Try regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is a minimally invasive treatment that is particularly helpful with tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis. Regenerative treatments like AmnioFix change growth factors to the body’s own stem cells that reduce inflammation and scar-tissue formation to enhance healing. These treatments have minimal lay up so you can continue to work out and even do weight-bearing exercises.
  • Wear sufficiently cushioned shoes. Being overweight makes it difficult to bend over, and flip-flops or other slip-on shoes seem to be a good choice because they are easier to put on. These shoes offer little to no support, however, and will only make your foot pain worse.
  • Invest in orthotics. Custom orthotics are an excellent way to correct foot misalignment and decrease pain. Anderson also points out that “custom orthotics are hugely important, and take the support you need from shoe to shoe.” Orthotics combined with AmnioFix are commonly used in treating weight-related foot pain.
  • Do low-impact exercises. Low-impact exercises like swimming and cycling are a great way to shed some weight without the pain of higher-impact workouts like running or hiking.

Whether your foot pain is weight-related or caused by something else, it’s important to understand that foot pain is never normal, and you don’t have to live with it.

effect of weight loss on feet

Diabetic Foot Numbness: The Silent Threat to Your Health and Mobility

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Neuropathy: A Silent Killer

Understanding Why Numbness is More Dangerous Than Pain

For many of my diabetic patients, numbness develops so gradually they barely notice its progression. The sensation diminishes on such a slow gradient that they forget what normal foot sensitivity feels like. This adaptation becomes dangerous—when you can’t feel your feet, you can’t detect injuries, and if left untreated, these injuries can lead to amputation. The sobering reality is that amputation significantly shortens life expectancy for diabetic patients, with five-year mortality rates approaching 50% after major lower extremity amputation.

A numb foot is the most dangerous foot a diabetic can have.

As a podiatrist who has treated thousands of diabetic patients, I’ve witnessed how early intervention can dramatically change outcomes. Let me share two contrasting patient stories that illustrate why numbness should never be ignored.

Patient Stories of Foot Numbness: Two Different Paths

Patient One: Early Intervention Saves a Foot

Mrs. Johnson (name changed for privacy) visited our clinic with what she described as “feet that were killing her with chronic pain.” She had been taking Lyrica for her diabetic neuropathy, but it provided minimal relief. The burning, tingling pain had become unbearable, affecting her sleep and quality of life.

After a comprehensive evaluation, we discussed treatment options and agreed that nerve decompression surgery would be appropriate for her condition. However, life got busy, and she postponed the procedure. When she returned months later, I noticed the beginning of an ulcer on one toe—a dangerous development that made surgery an immediate priority. I explained how the procedure could not only alleviate her pain but potentially restore sensation, which would prevent future ulcers from developing unnoticed.

The results were remarkable. Almost immediately after surgery, her nerve pain subsided significantly, and she regained sensation in her toes. In her own words, “The foot you operated on feels so much warmer than the other foot.” The toe ulcer healed rapidly, and within weeks, we performed the same procedure on her other foot with equally successful results. Today, Mrs. Johnson has maintained both feet without complications, continues her regular diabetic foot care routine, and enjoys an active lifestyle.

Patient Two: Delayed Intervention Leads to Partial Loss

Mr. Thomas (name changed) had a different perspective on his numbness. To him, it “wasn’t that big a deal.” He could function adequately and sleep well. Yes, the numbness made walking more challenging, but he had adapted. By the time he sought treatment, he had already lost two toes to amputation.

The risk of amputating his foot and having the same issue affect his other foot is what drove him to come to our clinic. We performed nerve decompression surgery on the foot that had already undergone partial amputation. To his satisfaction, the results mirrored those of our first patient—increased warmth and restored sensation. While the surgery was successful in preventing further tissue loss, this case isn’t as positive as the first because permanent damage had already occurred. Had he sought treatment earlier, he might still have all his toes and better mobility.

The Medical Reality of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes. The condition damages the nerves in your feet by:

  • Restricting blood flow to the nerves
  • Creating compression in natural nerve tunnels
  • Causing biochemical changes that damage nerve fibers

This damage manifests in two primary ways:

  • Painful neuropathy: Burning, tingling, electrical sensations
  • Insensate neuropathy: Advancing numbness with decreased ability to feel potential damage

While painful neuropathy is distressing, it typically prompts patients to seek treatment. Numbness, however, often goes untreated until complications arise.

Why Numbness is More Dangerous Than Pain

Consider these contrasting outcomes:

  1. Pain = motivation to seek treatment = nerve restoration = no amputation = more active, healthy life
  2. Numbness = no motivation to seek help = delayed treatment = potential amputation = reduced mobility = shortened lifespan

Research indicates that individuals who undergo lower extremity amputation experience:

  • Decreased mobility and independence
  • Higher risk of depression
  • Increased cardiovascular complications
  • Reduced life expectancy by 5-10 years

Treatment Options for Diabetic Neuropathy

Modern podiatric medicine offers several approaches to address diabetic neuropathy:

  • Nerve Decompression Surgery: Releasing compressed nerves to restore blood flow and sensation
  • Medical Management: Medications to address nerve pain and improve circulation
  • Advanced Wound Care: Specialized treatment for existing ulcers or injuries
  • Preventative Foot Care: Regular check-ups and proper footwear
  • Blood Sugar Control: Working with your primary physician to manage diabetes effectively

How to Assess Your Risk for Numbness due to Diabetic Neuropathy

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you feel a light touch on all areas of your feet?
  • Do you notice temperature changes on your feet?
  • Have you noticed any changes in foot color or unexplained calluses?
  • Do your feet feel unusually cold or warm?
  • Have you had any painless injuries on your feet?

If you answered “no” to the first two questions or “yes” to the others, you should consult with a podiatrist specialized in diabetic foot care immediately.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The choice becomes clear when you consider the options: either surgery to remove part of your foot after damage occurs, or proactive treatment to restore nerve function and preserve your foot. This crucial message needs to reach more diabetic patients before complications develop.
Remember, while you may not be able to control the development of neuropathy, you can control the outcome through early intervention.

Take Action Today

If you’re experiencing any signs of diabetic neuropathy—whether painful symptoms or concerning numbness—schedule a comprehensive foot evaluation with our team at Anderson Podiatry Center. Early intervention is your best defense against the silent threat of diabetic foot numbness.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Dr. James Anderson, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist specializing in diabetic foot care and nerve decompression surgery with over [X] years of experience helping patients maintain foot health and mobility.

Neuropathy: Why It’s Important Not to Delay Treatment

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It starts with some tingling in your feet, and maybe a little in your legs.  Then, the tingling turns into pain: sharp jabbing or stabbing sensations. You begin to lose coordination in your feet, and you start being more at risk of falling down. One day, paralysis may even occur. It’s frustrating, it’s frightening, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Neruopathy can stop you from simple tasks like walking, driving, or even staying balanced

The most frightening thing about neuropathy, however, is that even if you think it’s getting better (your pain and symptoms decrease, for instance), it could actually be getting worse. This is because the later stages of neuropathy often cause numbness, meaning that you can no longer feel the pain that’s telling you something’s wrong. This can eventually cause the skin of your foot to die and become necrotic, and it sometimes even leads to amputation, especially in diabetic patients.

This is why it’s so important to start treating your neuropathy right away.

The first step to recovery is understanding the problem. Neuropathy is the disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, or in other words, nerve damage. If you suffer from neuropathy you likely experience muscle weakness, twitching, tingling, numbness in the feet and lower legs, prickling sensations, and nerve pain in the feet and lower legs. The most common causes of neuropathy include injury, infection, diabetes, and even some cancers.

What’s most discouraging about neuropathy is how difficult it can be to find relief. This discouragement is exacerbated by the fact that medications-a common first step in treating neuropathy- often have unwanted side effects or are ineffective. Furthermore, medications can treat the symptoms of neuropathy, but they can’t treat the root cause: the tight nerve tunnels that are “squeezing” the nerves and preventing them from functioning properly.

Since neuropathy can worsen over time, it’s essential that you don’t delay treatment. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with the pain. There are many treatment options for neuropathy, including:

Treating your neuropathy may well offer relief for common symptoms as well, such as: improving balance, strength, and nerve sensations, providing more restful sleep, reducing risk of falling, and decreasing pain.

We truly understand how painful and even debilitating neuropathy can be which is why we urge you not delay your treatment any longer. Even if you think you’ve tried everything, research in neuropathy is progressing every day, and new treatment options are out there. You have the power to stop your neuropathy from progressing, and we can help you find the treatment plan that’s best for you. Start feeling better today!