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9 Questions About How Hip Replacement Can Lead to Drop Foot and What You Can Do About It

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Many improvements have been made for patients who need hip replacement surgery. My experience with patients has been that most will say “If I knew it was going to help me this much I would have had it done earlier.” The concept of replacement of these joints has helped many to continue enjoying a more active and productive lifestyle. However, there is the potential risk of drop foot after having a hip replacement surgery.

1. What is drop foot?

In simple terms, this is the lack of strength to pull your foot up off the ground, or to pull away from the opposite foot

2. What is the problem with drop foot?

Essentially you have solved one problem, a hip joint that doesn’t hurt, and now have a new one: DROP FOOT!

3. How does this effect you?

With a mild amount of weakness, you may simply feel less stable when walking across uneven surfaces and feel more prone to twisting your ankle. With severe weakness you may find walking very unstable and therefore your activity is very limited. You may even need to wear a brace to keep your ankle in proper alignment. The net effect: You now have a foot and ankle that limits your activity instead of that old worn out hip joint.

4. How does hip surgery create the drop foot?

The common remarks among orthopedic surgeons is that the sciatic nerve may get stretched during the procedure. It is also common for patients to be told to wait, give it some time and maybe the nerve will repair.

5. Are there any newer thought processes regarding this complication?

Yes. We now believe that in many situations a nerve branch in the lower leg has been injured from this stretching, as this nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve. It is also the primary nerve that sends signals to the leg muscles to pull the foot up and to the side. When the nerve is stretched along with the sciatic nerve it’s damaged and no longer works effectively. Therefore, weakness and drop foot.

6. What can you do?

First and foremost, don’t wait. Although we have had very good success helping people who have been in this situation for years, earlier treatment when the problem first appears can give the patient better recovery.

7. What do we do?

Our primary objective is to reverse the weakness! For many patients we are able to do this with surgery. The surgeries are primarily focused on one or two nerve tunnels in the lower extremity. By opening these tunnels, much like carpel tunnel surgery, nerve function and therefore strength can be restored.

8. What’s the good the bad and the ugly about these surgeries?

The good news is in most cases it can help. It’s a quick recovery as you can walk the next day. Some can appreciate improvement immediately. The bad and the ugly are it may not work. If it fails, we find that the effects of the surgery are neutral, there is no worsening of symptoms.

9. What’s your next step?

If you or someone you know suffers from drop foot after hip replacement please consider this option. You may be able to get back to more full activity without the worry of falling or twisting your ankle.

Be thankful that your hip is better and understand that the opportunity may be there to get your strength back!

hip replacement can lead to drop foot

Amputation: Three Things You Must Know if You’re Diabetic

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So, you’ve been told you’re a diabetic, and the first thing that enters your mind is the possibility of an amputation. Wow, a scary thought! I want to show you how this can happen. As a diabetic you need to hear this, to arm yourself with knowledge. I’m alarmed at how few people truly understand how the process leading to amputation gets started. In some situations it may not be as much of a worry as it should be, and in others it may be far greater than it needs to be.

So here we go! Here are three basic principles that set a foot up for an amputation:

  1. Foot structure

Any type of foot deformity that would create a greater probability of a skin irritation can be problematic. Examples of this would be a bunion. This is that prominence by the big toe joint that you’ll notice when the big toe starts to drift towards the second toe. That bone that protrudes can make it a potential for skin irritation.

A hammertoe would be another example. In this situation the toe is bent so that the knuckle on the top of the toe may rub against shoe gear or the tip may develop a sore, as you tend to walk on the tip and not on the fatty pulp that lies on the opposite side of the toenail. Any of these types of abnormalities should be addressed by appropriate shoe gear or, in some cases, by corrective surgery.

  1. Blood flow

You have probably heard that because of lack of blood flow diabetics have amputations. In my practice experience this appears overrated. Many diabetics have adequate blood flow for healing. I think it’s important if you’re diabetic to really have a thorough exam so you know specifically how you rate. This is a perfect situation of one size doesn’t fit all.

But, obviously, if circulation is an issue then healing of any type of sore or cut may become an issue. One of the worse things you can do is smoke. Obviously the smoking habit has a detrimental effect on circulation, but when you combine it with diabetes, the risk goes up by a factor of at least three times.

  1. Neuropathy

This is what I consider the most dangerous factor: the health of your nerves. Neuropathy will occur in 50-70 percent of diabetics, but how severe it may become varies. Patients may feel a burning tingling and numbness in the feet and legs. The danger, however, is present when more numbness is present. It’s the inability to feel that is dangerous. The good news is that we can help restore the feeling with surgical decompression of selective nerve tunnels using laser and CETS technology to revitalize your nerves. Please refer to our website videos for more information.

Consider this the triad of things to ponder when you’re told you are diabetic and you’re worried about that dreaded word: amputation. The purpose of this blog was not to scare you, but rather give you some peace of mind. You may have more control than you realize, and you need to carefully consider each of these three areas.

First, a few questions you will need to consider are: if you have a deformity does it have to be corrected to reduce risk of amputation in the future, or are there conservative things that may be done? Or, if you have poor blood flow what are steps you can do, and what can a doctor do to help?

Next, if you smoke consider quitting.

Finally, the subject of neuropathy, which to me is most promising!  We have surgical and non- surgical options that are backed up with objective research to measure improvement of nerve function. What I consider the most dangerous of the three has the greatest opportunity for help.

So, arming you with knowledge should empower you to consider these factors, and help you to understand you may have more options to avoid amputation.

I hope you better understand that there is more hope than ever for you to do something to preserve those precious feet.amputation diabetic foot

5 Most Common FAQ’s from Patients

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If you suffer from any type of foot or ankle ailment chances are someone out there has experienced the exact same or very similar complaint as you have. Feet and ankle issues are extremely common, which makes sense considering the average person walks around 5,900 steps a day, or much more if they live an active lifestyle.

Because we rely on our feet so much, any type of injury can be extremely debilitating and frustrating, especially if you don’t know where to get help, or are afraid to get it. Sometimes what you really need to have peace of mind about receiving treatment are just answers to your questions, which is why Dr. Anderson of Anderson Podiatry Center put together a list of the most common questions he receives from his patients.

Here are the answers to the five most common questions Dr. Anderson gets asked:

  1. Do I have to give up this activity for the rest of my life?

“My response to this has always been we will go through a full conservative regimen and move to surgery as necessary before we tell someone to discontinue in an activity that is beneficial for their health. Commitment to the postoperative course is compensated by a lifetime of being able to return to that activity.”

  1. Will the deformity return if I have it fixed surgically?

The fear that the deformity will just return even if it is surgically removed is a main reason many choose to not even try it. However, this is definitely not always the case, and if you put in the time and effort to find the right doctor, you could get rid of that loathsome deformity for good. Dr. Anderson supports this as well, he says, “This depends on the quality of surgeon you choose, and the commitment you make to appropriate shoe choice and insole choice in the years following surgery.”

  1. Will my insurance cover this?

“Any out-of-pocket costs will be covered by our front office personnel and you need to understand how your deductible and co-pay’s work. You need to take responsibility for understanding the ways in which your insurance works.”

Calling your insurance company can seem very daunting, but with just one phone call you can find out exactly what your insurance will and will not cover. You could be delaying life-changing treatment that your insurance might cover!

  1. When I can return to activity?

“The answer is always very specific to your problem. By returning too quickly you will lose out on the sacrifice from that activity that you have already undergone.”

Because the answer to this common question is so specific to your individual problem, it is absolutely paramount that you see a podiatrist to get an accurate answer.

  1. How much time will I need off from work?

“Sometimes it is in your best interest to use short-term disability rather than burn all your vacation days and sick days. We as a clinic are available to help you fill out the paperwork and answer the questions with regards to short-term disability.”

This question is also very case-by-case, so see a podiatrist to get a better estimate of exactly how much recovery time you need.

Don’t let your fears of the unknown keep you from getting life changing help! See a podiatrist today to finally get all your questions answered.

APC Office Visit

A Day in the Life of a Podiatrist

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Get to know Doctor Anderson by reading a little about his average day on the job!

Dr. James Anderson, DPM.

“My Wednesday starts early as it’s my surgery day. Surgeries begin at 7 am and may end at 5 pm on a busy day. So, today being Wednesday saw me out the door grabbing a handful of nuts and blueberries for my breakfast. I grabbed some coffee with butter and cinnamon, a daily habit of mine, and started my day.

My first patient had traveled all the way from eastern Nebraska, and as with most of my patients this day was a nerve surgery case. He was a very nice Nebraska farmer with diabetes suffering from severe neuropatDr. James Anderson, DPMhy. I had six surgeries with only a five-minute break between surgeries to celebrate Rhonda’s birthday (Rhonda has been our recovery room nurse for 10 years and she is absolutely the best! Patients and staff love her.)

So, after opening her card and getting a box with her favorite perfume, it was back to work.  Another staff member, Jeanne, was excited to hear that she would be acknowledged in a research paper getting published on the intraoperative nerve monitoring we do. She helps set up the monitoring equipment and assists me in surgery.

The highlight of the day
was the last case. A 14-year-old from Nebraska who had been in a bad car accident 2 years ago. She had severe nerve pain in her foot and weakness, drop foot, in her   leg as it was trapped beneath the seat of the car in a rollover accident. After seeing multiple doctors, they had almost given up hope until they learned about what we do. The nerve monitoring we did in surgery to see how well we improved the function of the nerves that had been damaged in the accident were showing us amazing improvement of nerve function!  I’m very optimistic for her, and feel confident she and her mom can avoid a life of medication for her chronic pain condition, which is the goal they had.

I did end my day a little later than I had thought I would. I was expecting to catch up on things, but only had time to meet with my two research assistants. We recently submitted a paper for publication on restless legs, and reviewed three more studies that we will be starting on. They are young and bright and are a huge asset to me. It’s a real challenge to see patients, run a business, and then do research, so I am blessed to have them.

Lastly, I joined in late on a conference call with our CEO Eric, and my wife, COO Adriann, in regards to new opportunities for our surgery center.

Finally, out of the office by 6:15; that’s early! I even had time at home to watch some TV, answer emails, and jump on the elliptical machine. Oh, yes, and wash some clothes. That’s my day!”

We are proud of what we do and the doctors we represent! Contact us today to talk to any of our doctors one-on-one!

How to Know if You Need Surgery for Your Chronic Foot Pain

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If you’re suffering from foot pain that just won’t go away, you’ll try almost anything to find relief. Pain medications, physical therapy, orthotics, braces, special shoes, rest, ice, heat, massage…the list goes on.

But chronic pain is usually a side effect of something even bigger—chronic damage to the affected joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The severity of this damage is often the most important criteria to consider when determining the best treatment.

What happens to your body parts from regular and long term damage?

  • Chronic damage to a joint leads to osteoarthritis.
  • Chronic damage to tendons causes thickening and scarring of tendons as well as possible rupture or tearing.
  • Chronic damage to ligaments creates joint instability, which can lead to arthritis and worsening of tendon issues.

In most cases, this damage is not going to be isolated to just one structure. Rather, people who suffer chronic pain usually have all of these structures damaged to some degree, and the parts that are the most severely damaged usually determine the best course of treatment.

Is it time for you to consider surgery?

First, we’ll need to determine how bad the damage is. This is where all those x-rays, MRIs, blood work, etc. come into play. X-rays will show severity of arthritis and an MRI will show the severity of damage to tendons and ligaments.

For more severely damaged structures, conservative treatment may have a low chance of success and https://websitetest8.striveenterprisetest.com/anderson-center-for-surgery/surgical treatment may be more likely, but rarely will an x-ray or MRI be the absolute deciding factor of treatment for a chronic issue. It’s just another bit of info to factor in.

Every patient is different, and I tailor the treatment of chronic pain to the particular demands of each person, based on their lifestyle. Together, we decide whether conservative treatments can successfully help with chronic foot pain. If not, it might be time to consider surgery, which, in most cases, can help you get back on your feet sooner, and hopefully pain-free!

chronic foot pain causes

How to Stop Tendonitis Progression

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tendonitis progression

We all know living an active lifestyle is an essential component to being healthy. Whether you are a mega multi-marathon runner, an avid tennis player, a yoga instructor, or a mall walker, your exercise is an important part of your daily routine. However, this healthy lifestyle of yours is threatened when injuries arise in your feet, such as tendonitis. Tendonitis is common and painful, but there are ways to keep the tendonitis progression to a minimum.

Tendonitis progression can affect various muscles in the body, including the feet. Posterior tibial tendinitis, for example, is an inflammation of the tendon that runs from the inner ankle to the shinbone. Some symptoms to look for to determine if you do indeed have tendonitis are:

  • Pain that increases when the affected area moves, such as when walking
  • A cracking or grating feeling when the injured tendon moves
  • Swelling
  • Redness and heat from the affected area
  • The development of a lump along the tendon
  • Difficulty standing on your toes
  • Pain on the inside of the foot or ankle

Tendonitis is a common injury, and is caused by the repetition of a particular movement over time. Though not as common, it may also arise after a sudden injury. Some of the risk factors which increase the likelihood of getting tendonitis are:

  1. Age- Tendons become less flexible and more susceptible to injury the older you get.
  2. Certain jobs- If your job consists of repetitive movements, awkward positions, frequent
  3. Overhead reaching, vibration, or forced extension you have a greater risk of hurting the tendon.
  4. Diabetes- Though experts are unsure why, people with diabetes tend to have a higher risk of developing tendonitis.
  5. Sports- The most common cause of tendonitis comes from sports injuries, especially in sports like running, swimming, basketball, tennis, golf, etc.

Whatever reason caused your tendonitis they all have the same risk: the injury is progressive and will worsen if untreated! 

So, how do you stop this progression? The answer is simple, start treatment right away! Treatment options include:

  • Rest, ice and elevation- these steps can often help alleviate pain.
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy and AmnioFix Therapy– Anderson Podiatry Center has been doing these treatments to repair feet and ankle tears longer than anyone in the Rocky Mountain region.
  • Custom orthotics– These are made by a podiatrist from a mold of your actual foot to help give you the best results.
  • Surgery– If the tendon is torn too badly, surgery may be the best option.

Before starting any treatment, it is extremely important to have your injury properly evaluated. All too often people think they have tendonitis, when in fact they have a tendon tear. The huge problem with this is that the two injuries are treated differently.

Dr. Anderson of Anderson Podiatry Center explains the concern with this. He says, “People have been known to stretch a suspected tendonitis, as it’s recommended sometimes. If the tendon is torn it will damage it more.” He also says how with a mild tear surgery may be avoided with regenerative medicines like Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy and AmnioFix Therapy.

Again, the earlier you get your tendon checked by a podiatrist the better. Podiatrists are able to determine the extent of the injury, and get you the care you need before your injury progresses any further. 

Get treated, and get back to your healthy lifestyle!

tendonitis progression

5 Ways to Fix Your Hallux Limitus- The Pain in Your Big Toe

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Walking is an essential function in your daily life. So, if you experience pain in your toe, especially when you walk, it can be extremely frustrating and debilitating. What’s worse, the pain is often exacerbated with certain footwear, such as flip flops, so now you struggle walking and are limited in what shoes you can wear. Luckily, there are options.

Hallux limitus is an arthritic condition that limits the motion and function of the big toe joint. Hallux limitus is similar to a bunion. It is often painful, and can make it difficult to walk. Some symptoms to look for with hallux limitus are:

  • A grinding or grating of the big-toe joint when you move it
  • A bone spur grown on top of the big toe joint
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Deep, aching, chronic pain
  • Stiffness and limited motion
  • Overall joint tightness
  • Difficulty wearing shoes like high heels, flip flops, and other low support shoes

Hallux limitus, like bunions, is progressive! If left untreated the symptoms worsen and turn into hallux rigidus- no motion of the big toe joint
at all. Hallux rigidus is more painful than hallux limitus. The pain can be so severe that it often decreases your activity, makes you afraid to take long walks, and takes away your ability to run altogether.

Also, hallux limitus when left untreated often leads to other foot and ankle problems. When you have such pain in your big toe you often overcompensate to alleviate the pain, which puts extra stress on other parts of your foot and ankle. Now, you not only have pain in your big toe, but your foot and ankle as well.

Hallux limitus is usually caused by two factors: genetics or an injury to the big toe joint. Some people are born with a predisposition to conditions like arthritis or high or low arches, which can all lead to foot problems like hallux limitus later in life. Also, hallux limitus can stem from repetitive movements, or damage to cartilage in the toe.

Again, hallux limitus is progressive, and only gets worse the longer you wait, which is why early treatment is vital! Seeing a podiatrist will reveal the exact stage of your hallux limitus, and then help to determine the most appropriate action to take out of the five common treatments. The treatments include:

  1. Custom Orthotics– Unlike over-the-counter orthotics, custom orthotics, made by a trained podiatrist, take a mold of your actual foot. They then create orthotics specifically designed to correct your individual foot problems.
  2. Cortisone Injections- These are injected directly into the joint to reduce swelling and inflammation, however they are only short term solutions that may damage the joint.
  3. Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy– This new tissue regeneration therapy can be used as an alternative to surgery that has a fast recovery time.
  4. AmnioFix Therapy– This new, regenerative medical product containing organic cellular components enhances healing, reduces scar tissue formation, and reduces inflammation.
  5. Surgery– In the more advanced stages of hallux limitus surgery may be needed.

Of the treatments above, the Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy and AmnioFix therapy have shown to be the most successful in early treatments. When used before hallux limitus progresses too far they can even prevent the need for surgery all together. Come visit your podiatrist in Fort Collins or Broomfield for further consultation.

new treatment for hallux rigidus

New Treatment for Arthritic Feet and Ankles: Avoiding Joint Replacement or Joint Fusion

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Arthritic pain in the foot and ankle is on the rise. With our active aging baby boomers many may find their activities starting to be limited because of this affliction. It is common for many to use anti-inflammatories, such as Advil, for pain. Although this may help temporarily with the pain the long term use may have negative effects.

As wear and tear takes place on our joints from use, or in some cases injury, the cartilage begins to wear thin. The cartilage that lines the joint is very slick, and when it begins to diminish you may eventually have bone rubbing against bone resulting in pain.

At the end of the treatment options lies the possibility of surgery to replace the joint. An example of the surgery is an ankle replacement or fusion of a joint. This can be done to the ankle joint or other joints in the foot. Without a joint your pain can go away, but you’ve now created the need for other joints to make up for the lack of motion in the joint that is now fused. Eventually, they may become arthritic. We have a new solution for you!

Before you consider the surgical risk and extreme lay up of a fusion or joint replacement, consider joint denervation. So what is joint denervation? Simply put, it’s the removal of the nerve branch that tells you the joint is painful.

We have had a high success rate with this surgical concept and minimal down time and risk. The idea is to decide which branch supplies the majority of sensation to that joint and remove it. We usually remove one or two nerve branches, and these branches don’t supply muscles, so you are not made weaker. The numbness that you are left with has minimal to no consequences compared to how much the pain is limiting your activities. In the rare event of no improvement you’re no worse off and you still have the more major surgery option.

The nerves we remove are in the lower leg, and the surgery takes less than thirty minutes. Where the nerve is cut it is buried into muscle so the tip of the nerve is not sensitive. People are able to walk immediately or within a few days. Contrast this with a minimum of six weeks, non-weight bearing recovery when a joint is fused, on top of the increased risk with a major surgery.

So, if you’re facing the pain of arthritis and have the fear of a fusion or joint replacement consider a second look. Don’t give up those activities you like to do, and consider this exciting new option. Please give us a call and we’ll discuss if this is an appropriate procedure for you.

photo-1425009294879-3f15dd0b4ed5[1]

Drop Foot: Why it’s Important to Seek Treatment Right Away

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I recently opened the paper on Sunday night and something in the sports section caught my eye. A star Notre Dame Football player, Jaylon Smith (soon to be playing professional football) has a drop foot. I researched more about his injury and subsequent reconstructive surgery to repair his knee. The discussion in the article was if he would ever fully regain his strength and return to football. I’m not sure if the discussion was about his injury, the surgery, or a combination of both, but in it they were contemplating whether Jaylon would ever return to normal.

In the interview Jaylon was being told to sit and wait. What?! The article specifically mentioned an injury to the common peroneal nerve. As a surgeon who operates on this nerve regularly this raised some serious concern.

I was concerned because I have seen many patients with a history of knee or hip surgery suffer from complications of drop foot. In Jaylon’s case it may have been from the knee injury. Doctors take a “wait and see” attitude towards this.   However, if there is not rapid trend toward improvement in the first 3 month I feel surgery should be considered.

Waiting could risk more long term permanent damage!Foot Drop: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Drop foot is often considered to be from a sciatic nerve that gets stretched. Understand that the common peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve that travels below the knee and sends impulses to the muscles that pull the foot up and to the side.  So, the basis of my concern is that the common peroneal nerve travels through an anatomical nerve tunnel just below the knee. This is an area where there is potential tightness or squeezing of the nerve which serves as an anchoring point, and when it is released (opened) it will reduce the stretching of the common peroneal nerve.

It’s been my experience when helping patients with drop foot after years of complications from knee or hip surgery that early intervention would have been better to maximize strength improvement.  I perform surgery on this nerve tunnel multiple times per month. It’s a 20 minute procedure with patients going home that day walking, and many have improvement within days. This challenges conventional wisdom that the nerves will take months to repair.

Thus, waiting could be detrimental to his career! So, even for people who aren’t professional athletes, waiting may not be the best plan.

This information I am sharing challenges what I would consider “traditional concepts.”  It has been thought that stretching of the sciatic nerve is the primary issue, but it has been my experience that by opening the anatomical tunnel that the common peroneal nerve travels through just below the knee the drop foot can be corrected.  As a surgeon, and the past President of the Colorado Podiatric Medical Association; Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons, who does research associated with this nerve and its effects on the lower extremity I thought my opinion should be shared and considered.

If you experience drop foot from an injury, or knee or hip surgery please seriously consider this option!

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.