Peripheral Nerve Surgery for Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetes and Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Besides a heightened difficulty controlling blood sugar, there are other effects on the body caused by diabetes. One of the more prominent effects is diabetic neuropathy, a condition that affects everything from the tactile sense to muscle control.

The CDC reports that 6.4 percent of diabetics suffered from diabetic neuropathy in 2007, with this figure steadily rising. If you are diabetic and suffering from diabetic neuropathy, peripheral nerve surgery could be right for you.

Development of Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Diabetic neuropathy describes the tendency for nerves in a diabetic’s body to be damaged by the presence of high blood sugar. It was once considered a disease that could only be treated through the careful control of a patient’s diabetes, but there have been advances that have significantly improved the quality of life for people afflicted with this condition.

The largest change came in 1992 when numerous doctors noticed that patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy also suffered from peripheral nerve compression. This allowed them to begin developing new treatments aimed at eliminating the types of constrictions that could cause neuropathy to be present.

Between 30 to 60 percent of patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy are believed to suffer from peripheral nerve compression. By treating this with peripheral nerve surgery, the symptoms of neuropathy may be eliminated.

How Does Peripheral Nerve Surgery Work?

Peripheral nerves run along the spine and down to different parts of the body. They transmit signals to and from different areas of the body. By removing scar tissue and correcting pinching of the nerves with peripheral nerve surgery, the effects of diabetic neuropathy may be reduced or eliminated.

The surgery itself depends entirely upon what type of damage has occurred to the periphery nerves and where it has occurred. There are countless periphery nerve bundles interwoven throughout the body, and some are so tiny that they must be viewed with a microscope.

Surgery will address the presence of scar tissue or structures of the body that may be compressing affected peripheral nerves. As the nerves heal, physical therapy will help the patient slowly recover from any nerve damage that has occurred.

What Type of Peripheral Nerve Treatment is Best?

The type of treatment that works best for diabetic neuropathy will depend entirely upon the unique conditions of the patient. This can include factors like how long a patient has suffered from neuropathy, how old a patient is, how many other surgeries have been attempted to treat neuropathy, and so on.

While recovery may be limited in some circumstances, the general prognosis is that peripheral nerve surgery combined with physical therapy can improve most cases of diabetic neuropathy.

If you currently suffer from diabetes and have been diagnosed with neuropathy, you may be a candidate for peripheral nerve surgery. Doctor Demetrio Aguila is a specialist, and he can help create a treatment plan that is right for you. Contact Dr. Aguila today to schedule your consultation.