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“GOOD NEWS FOR NEUROPATHY SUFFERERS”

Dr. Still has a special interest in treating the condition known as peripheral neuropathy. This common but often poorly treated condition is most often caused by Diabetes Mellitus but can also has many other causes. For example, chemotherapy, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, chemical exposure and alcohol abuse are known causes. Unfortunately, there are also many patients that suffer from “idiopathic neuropathy” which means that doctors do not know the cause.

For some patients there is now much more hope in obtaining relief of pain. Dr. Still is trained to test the sensibility of the feet in a different way than usual right in the office. This is with the pressure specified sensory device. This is different from the well known testing done for sensation and nerve problems known as nerve conduction velocity testing and electromyography, which is often unreliable in the hands and feet. The pressure specified sensation testing is done with a machine in the office setting and it is not painful and takes about 40 mins. for Dr. Still to perform. Most insurance plans cover for this testing. Once this testing is completed Dr. Still can evaluate whether a patient might be a candidate for surgery to release compressed nerves in the leg and foot.

“SURGERY FOR PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY?”

Many sufferers of peripheral neuropathy have seen several doctors for their condition and have been told there is not a cure and there is only a small amount of treatments that may be helpful to relieve their pain and/or numbness. Currently there is not agreement amongst physicians about the cause and best treatment options for peripheral neuropathy, especially true when it is caused by Diabetes Mellitus .

This treatment option was developed by Dr. Lee Dellon in Baltimore, Maryland several years ago. Dr. Dellon and his staff have trained over 240 surgeons of different specialties worldwide in their treatment method for neuropathy. Dr. Still is one of those surgeons that has been trained and one of only two in Colorado trained in this treatment option. The philosophy and science behind ‘surgery for neuropathy’ is centered on the belief that nerves in the arms, hands, legs and feet have an increased diameter due to improper chemical metabolism in the nerve. It is due to an abnormal ‘sorbitol pathyway’. Dr. Dellon is a medical pioneer that has devoted his entire career to research in this field. Despite criticism, on his research his teachings and treatment plans are becoming more accepted. Why ? Because for the right patient this treatment works and helps relieve severe pain. In reality it can change a person’s life.

How is the surgery done and how does it help? Surgical intervention for peripheral neuropathy is centered around decompressing certain nerves that are compressed in tight anatomical canals. This is called ‘external neurolysis’, and it frees up bound down, compressed or entrapped nerves. The surgeon ‘opens up tight spaces so that the nerve may have a chance to recover and conduct impulses more normally. For example carpal tunnel release surgery is done to relieve pain due to a compressed nerve in the wrist. Many people suffer from this condition without neuropathy. For patients with diabetic neuropathy the nerves in the hand or foot have a higher chance to encounter problems that are analogous to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is because the disease process caused the nerve diameter to increase dramatically.

It must be emphasized that the treatment option of surgery for neuropathy is only for a select group of patients that have ‘painful’ type neuropathy. It is also is not meant for the patient suffering with diabetes caused neuropathy with a history of problems such as foot ulcers, infections or amputations over a period of time. Unfortunately, there is only a relatively short window of opportunity for patients with neuropathy before the nerves are ‘too damage’ from the ravages of peripheral neuropathy irrelevant of the cause. In the properly selected patient with neuropathy and pain success rate for this surgical treatment option approaches 80% according to literature.

Diabetes is the leading cause of neuropathy and unfortunately Diabetes is increasing worldwide and therefore so is the number of patients suffering from neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can affect 35-50% of patients with diabetes mellitus. Some argue that it is a higher percentage. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation in the world. Problems in the feet are the most common reason for patients afflicted with diabetes to be hospitalized. Therefore treatment of neuropathy is very important and has the potential to change the amount and type of complications due to diabetes dramatically.

It is also must be emphasized that this treatment option is not just for patient with diabetes mellitus. Often this treatment can help neuropathy sufferers due to other causes. That is because those causes also cause nerve damage due to compression and result in pain. VISIT OUR OTHER SITE AT www.denverperipheralneuropathy.com

If you would like more information schedule an appointment to see Dr. Still. In addition you can visit the following website www.aens.us.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE OFFICE TO GET INFORMATION, IT IS BEST IF YOU COME INTO THE OFFICE AND CONSULT WITH DR. STILL. THIS IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM TO EXPLAIN AND IT IS BEST EXPLAINED BY A PHYSICIAN AND NOT OFFICE STAFF. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION IN ADHERING TO THIS REQUEST.