Did you know that over 30 million Americans struggle from diabetes? And from those 30 million, 7.5 million will experience diabetic neuropathy? Diabetic neuropathy deteriorates ones quality of life, and poses a huge financial burden for patient and patient’s caregivers. It causes many complications and can be very painful for the individual. With recent studies, there is hope at the end of the tunnel for those who fight diabetic neuropathy.

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. High blood sugar can injure nerves throughout your body. Diabetic neuropathy most often damages nerves in your legs and feet. Depending on the affected nerves, diabetic neuropathy symptoms can range from pain and numbness in your legs and feet to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels and heart. Some people have mild symptoms. But for some, patients might struggle with tingling, burning, stinging type pain. These painful symptoms can interfere with one’s ability to walk or to sleep.

Management

Unfortunately, diabetic neuropathy has to be managed and is never completely cured. It is very important that you work with your doctor to establish a treatment plan to slow the progression of the disease and find ways to relieve the pain.

How to help slow the progression

  • Keep your blood sugar within your target range
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Regular physical activity
  • Keeping your blood pressure within your target range

Considering these tips to slow the progression of the disease, it is most important to make sure you are working with your physician on a treatment plan that fits you best.

Nevro HFX

For years, conventional medical treatment of Diabetic neuropathy has involved tight blood sugar control, therapy for balance problems, and a small number of medications for the painful symptoms. Unfortunately many patients still struggle with pain and functional limitations despite treatment.

Recently in 2021, a study was published in JAMA Neurology showing that spinal cord stimulation (Nevro HFX) provided relief from painful diabetic neuropathy. 85% of patients received significant pain relief. Spinal cord stimulation has been used for years to treat back pain, and now the FDA has approved it for treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Who to Call

When you are experiencing some of these symptoms, it is time to call a physician.

  • Tingling, burning, or stinging type pain
  • Sharp pains for cramps
  • Sensitivity to touch (some patients experience pain with even a light bedsheet)
  • Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes

Dr. Ryan A. Wetzel has seen diabetic neuropathy in many different patients, and has had great success on keeping them to be pain free. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wetzel to discuss different treatment options for painful diabetic neuropathy.

Evansville, IN, January 3, 2020 Tri-State Orthopaedics is proud to announce the addition of Christopher L. Sneed, M.D., to the practice.  Dr. Sneed adds 25 years of neurosurgery experience and will begin accepting patients starting January 6th, 2020 at our East Side/Main office at 225 Crosslake Drive and in Jasper office at 721 West 13th Street.

Dr. Sneed earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Medicine.  He completed 7 years of neurosurgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  He combines his experience and cutting edge thinking in brain surgery and spine surgery.

About Tri-State Orthopaedics

Tri-State Orthopaedics is the largest orthopaedic practice in Evansville with 30 providers – 19 physicians, 6 nurse practitioners, and 5 physician’s assistants. They currently employ 185 local staff in the tri-state area with offices on the East Side and West Side of Evansville and satellite offices in Boonville and Jasper. Tri-State Orthopaedics has been involved with the Evansville community for many years, along with their support as the team physicians for the University of Evansville and the local high schools.

Main office hours: Monday -Friday 8 am-5 pm. Urgent Care hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-5 pm, Friday 8:30 am-4 pm and Saturday 9 am-12 pm. West side office hours:  Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm and Urgent Care hours:  Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4pm.  Appointments can be scheduled online (www.tristate-ortho.com) or by phone (812-477-1558) for our main, west, and satellite offices in Boonville and Jasper.

 

  

(Evansville, IN)  St. Vincent Evansville and Tri-State Orthopaedics broke ground on St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital today. The $95 million, 135,000-square-foot, four-story St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital will be located at the northeast corner of Warrick Wellness Trail and Epworth Road, making it a natural extension of the St. Vincent Epworth Crossing campus, which provides a variety of outpatient services such as:
“St. Vincent and Tri-State Orthopaedics Break Ground on St. Vincent Orthopedic Hospital”