Peripheral Neuropathy | Reverse Painful Symptoms with Treatment

Dr. Kyle Kinmon, board-certified podiatrist and founder of Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists in South Florida, is here to discuss peripheral neuropathy and how to reverse the associated symptoms with nerve decompression procedures.

Peripheral neuropathy is pain and numbness that is a result of nerve damage outside of your brain and spinal cord. The pain can often manifest as neuropathy in the feet and can often improve with neuropathy treatment.

It is a common misconception among the medical community and patients that peripheral neuropathy is always permanent and will cause constant pain. This misrepresentation sometimes leads to treatment options that are less than ideal for patients including narcotics, anti-seizure medication, and antidepressants, which often fail. Many patients and medical professionals do not realize that there are other options and treatments for neuropathy in the legs and feet. Fortunately, that is not the case at Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists, and with the right treatment method, our specialty-trained surgeons can significantly reduce pain 90% of the time. This includes diabetic peripheral neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. These and other conditions that cause nerve damage can lead to burning, numbness tightness, or, throbbing in feet and legs, loss of balance, wounds, and constant foot pain.

Diagnosis

With just a physical exam, we can diagnose peripheral neuropathy in the office and determine if the patient is a candidate for a decompression procedure. The testing can often easily determine the origin of the condition leading to neuropathy in the feet. Several surgical approaches can be utilized to help relieve the pain from neuropathy. Assuming the patient is healthy and qualifies for the procedures, the procedures are done in an outpatient setting in a local surgery center. For patients suffering from entrapment neuropathy, a decompression procedure and be performed. The procedure only takes about 45 minutes and it involves only three or four small incisions. The patients leave with stitches in place for two weeks post-op as they heal. What comes as a surprise to patients, and a relief, to the pain and numbness are usually gone when the patients wake up after the procedure.

Treatment

The treatment options for peripheral neuropathy have continued to improve over recent years and our staff of highly trained physicians has kept up with the most advanced treatment options. For patients seeking relief from peripheral nerve pain and are fearful of invasive nerve decompression, implantable peripheral nerve stimulators have proven to be an effective option for the treatment of peripheral nerve pain and peripheral neuropathy. The stimulator is implanted through a minimally invasive technique utilizing a needle-sized incision. The procedure is typically done at an outpatient setting following a trial period to confirm relief of chronic pain.

If you’re dealing with painful symptoms of this condition, our podiatrists can help you determine what treatment for peripheral neuropathy is right for your case, while identifying and addressing any underlying issues. Make an appointment today. (855) 912-8407

By Dr. Kyle Kinmon, MS, DPM, FACFAS
Certified Foot and Ankle Specialist – Boca Raton, Florida

Additions made by Dr. Julio C. Ortiz, DPM, FACFAS
Podiatrist – West Palm Beach, Florida