About 29.1 million people (9.3% of the United States population) have diabetes.

Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy, which we test for and treat at our Nerve Pain Center) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes.

Neuropathy is a major complication that may cause diabetics to experience pain, tingling, and loss of feeling in their feet, as well as experience balance and gait issues that make it difficult to walk.

Numbness can lead to infections and ulcers that, for diabetics, can spread quickly and can be difficult to heal due to the decrease in blood flow that diabetics often experience.

Because of these complications, diabetics are more prone to amputations.

Anderson Podiatry Center doctors continually train at length on the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic and all other neuropathies and their complications.  They have received extensive additional training in order to offer a sub-specialty to the public in this underserved area, offering innovative and compassionate solutions to this debilitating and pervasive problem.

Visit our diabetic foot care and neuropathy pages to learn more.

  • What Is Neuropathy?

    What Is Neuropathy?

    Neuropathy is damage or interruption of the nerves in the feet and legs that can cause burning, tingling, numbness, pain and difficulty with balance and gait.

    To properly diagnose patients with neuropathy, we use special testing equipment at our Nerve Pain Center, the first of its kind in the region.

    Conservative methods of treatment include:

    • Nerve blocks
    • MLS Laser Treatment
    • ESTIM, which can be used for chronic pain when neuropathy is in its early stages or for patients who are not a candidate for surgical intervention

    If the neuropathy has progressed to the point where there is numbness and tingling throughout the day and weakness interferes with daily activities, then you might be a candidate for a new surgical procedure: nerve decompression surgery.

    • Nerve decompression surgery is particularly suited to the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and has an 80-90% improvement rate
    • The surgery is also beneficial for non-diabetic neuropathy, and provides similar results

    Nerve Compression Can Cause Neuropathy

    Dr. Lee Dellon, professor of neurosurgery and plastic surgery at John Hopkins University, discovered in 1988 that a diabetic’s nerves were subject to compression and swelling in areas that were anatomically tight, such as the inside of the ankle, and that this compression could cause the symptoms of neuropathy.

    There are two reasons why a diabetic’s nerves are subject to compression:

    • The tendency of a diabetic’s nerves to swell. The by-product of sugar attracts water molecules, which are drawn into the nerve and causes it to swell. If a nerve swells in a place that is already tight, then the nerve becomes pinched, or compressed.
    • Faulty transport systems within the diabetic nerve. These are believed to be caused by compression on the nerve in the nerve tunnels. Opening the nerve tunnel allows the flow of proteins to resume.

    Nerve decompression surgery may also be effective in many cases where the neuropathy is unrelated to diabetes. Success rates in non-diabetic neuropathy are equal to those in diabetic neuropathy patients.

  • Nerve Decompression Surgery

    Nerve Surgery

    The doctors at Anderson Center for Nerve Pain are among few experts who specialize in treating chronic pain due to various types of conditions and injuries to peripheral nerves. We treat neuropathy, restless leg syndrome and drop foot, as well as other chronic nerve pain conditions throughout the body with groundbreaking new surgical procedures.

    If your pain is due to injury or entrapment of one or more peripheral nerves, or from previous surgery, then there is a very high chance that we can help.

    Nerve decompression surgery opens the tight area through which the affected nerve travels. This gives the nerve more room and allows blood to flow better in the nerve, as well as providing relief from the pressure that also detrimentally affect nerves.

    Nerve Resection surgery removes the offending nerve branch thereby removing the source of the pain, without damaging the nerves that support muscles necessary for movement.

    The surgery can be performed in our Surgery Center and takes about one hour, with one hour of recovery.. Many patients have noted restored sensation and reduced pain immediately after anesthesia wears off, and most patients can walk again right away.

    Dr Anderson and Dr Aguila are two of a very few doctors who can address these issues and reverse the pain you have by releasing or blocking the nerves that give you your painful symptoms:

    o Lower extremity neuropathy and restless legs
    o Upper extremity neuropathy
    o Chronic pain and joint pain. Avoid joint replacement surgery.
    o Pain following knee replacement surgery
    o Shoulder pain following reconstructive surgeries to this area
    o Groin pain after hernia surgery
    o Pelvic Pain or Pain from Caesarian section deliveries
    o Back or neck pain. Avoid surgery to your spine
    o Post amputation pain
    o Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
    o Piriformis Syndrome
    o Chronic migraine headaches

    When you or other doctors have given up we can offer solutions!!

    Make an appointment

  • Charcot Foot

    Charcot Foot

    The condition Charcot (pronounced “sharko”) foot is one of the most serious foot problems a diabetic can face.

    It is caused when the foot bones fracture and disintegrate, warping the shape of the foot. Because the foot is numb, there is no pain sensation and the person continues to walk on it, creating further damage.

    Symptoms

    Charcot foot can be misdiagnosed: a hot, red swollen foot that can be a warning sign of Charcot Foot can often be mistaken for an infection or gout. It is important to be evaluated by a specialist at Anderson Podiatry Center for accurate diagnosis. A brace or special shoe can help support the foot.

    Treatment

    • Supportive shoes or braces
    • https://andersonpodiatrycenter.com/anderson-center-for-surgery/Reconstructive surgery if the deformity is too severe

    At Anderson Podiatry Center, relentless dedication to excellence in providing podiatry services, compassion, hope, innovation and creativity in all that we do drives our doctors to continually train to enhance their knowledge and gain expertise on new developments and innovative treatment solutions. This places us among the leaders in the field of podiatry, neuropathy and all that involves the foundation of the human body: our feet.

  • Drop Foot

    Drop Foot

    Drop foot indicates the inability to pull the foot and toes upward or move the foot from side to side.

    Causes

    Drop foot can be caused when the common peroneal nerve, which runs through a nerve tunnel on the outside of the upper leg, becomes compressed. This is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrist.

    The compression can be caused by:

    • A congenitally tight nerve tunnel
    • Trauma to leg or knee
    • Hip replacement or knee surgery
    • Diabetes

    Treatment

    Treatment for drop foot may involve surgical nerve decompression.

    • This procedure can reverse the weakness associated with drop foot and allow patients to move about without fear of falling.
    • We have seen patients discard their canes or walkers and transition to a lifestyle where they can exercise on a treadmill without assistance.
    • The increased stability patients receive can help prevent falls and hip fractures in the senior population. This can lead to a significant increase in their general wellbeing and health.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome

    Restless Leg Syndrome

    Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) affects 10% of the U.S. population, and is characterized by uncomfortable sensations deep within the legs.

    Symptoms

    • Throbbing, pulling, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs
    • An uncontrollable and sometimes overwhelming urge to move the legs

    Symptoms occur more at night than during the day and may affect up to 10% of the population. RLS usually affects both legs.

    Causes

    • Unknown, but compression of the peroneal nerves is thought to be part of the problem

    Treatment

    • Conventional treatment involves the use of medication that may help symptoms, but does not correct the condition
    • Nerve decompression surgery can be very successful for treating restless leg syndrome
      • The surgery involves the decompression of two primary nerve tunnels, the common peroneal nerve and the superficial peroneal nerve, which can be completed in a 30- to 40-minute procedure
      • The patient may get up and move around the day following surgery and may discover symptoms have been relieved
      • Our early findings show success rates of approximately 80-90%

    We are currently documenting clinical research on restless leg syndrome and will soon publish findings to support what we are seeing in practice. We are very excited to be able to offer relief to patients afflicted by this challenging disorder.