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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Numbness In The Lower Legs Indicate?

My sister has type 2 Diabetes. She walks with a walker and experienced a loss of sensation in her lower legs last week and fell down. She s also complaining of numbness in both hands. She was admitted to a Fla. hospital last week and informed that she was experiencing Diabetic Neuropathy. She was discharged from the hospital with a discharge plan of physical therapy 2x/week at home. She was readmitted to the hospital again this week with complaints of increased numbness in both hands and a significantly darkened skin color on her lower extremities. As of today the neurosurgeon recommended surgery on her neck to release pressure from the vertebrae on nerves in the neck area. This pressure they feel is contributing to the loss of sensation in her lower extremities and hands as well as contributing to her bent over stature. Please advise regarding this type of surgery.
Thu, 26 Oct 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
It is correct that your sister, due to having T2 Diabetes, is experiencing the effects of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. This may cause, numbness, pain, tingling, muscle cramps, altered sensation mainly of the lower limbs, and sometimes of the upper limbs. Please be certain that no surgery will relieve her neuropathic symptoms, since this is due to certain changes occurring tn the nerves due to a process called 'Non Enzymatic Glycation'. Surgery is NOT the management. There are medications like Cap Lyrica, doses which the Podiatric surgeon or the Endocrinologist can prescribe as per her condition. Another effective management along with this medication is 'Anodyne Therapy'. This is given to the affected areas 40 minuted each sitting, for 12 to 14 sittings. This will help her much in relief of symptoms. She must keep the skin of her feet soft with application of a skin softner like Vaseline. She should also use soft insoled, pressure distributing insoled foot wear at all times. Materials like EVA, Poron, Silicon, Plastazote are good.
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What Does Numbness In The Lower Legs Indicate?

It is correct that your sister, due to having T2 Diabetes, is experiencing the effects of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. This may cause, numbness, pain, tingling, muscle cramps, altered sensation mainly of the lower limbs, and sometimes of the upper limbs. Please be certain that no surgery will relieve her neuropathic symptoms, since this is due to certain changes occurring tn the nerves due to a process called Non Enzymatic Glycation . Surgery is NOT the management. There are medications like Cap Lyrica, doses which the Podiatric surgeon or the Endocrinologist can prescribe as per her condition. Another effective management along with this medication is Anodyne Therapy . This is given to the affected areas 40 minuted each sitting, for 12 to 14 sittings. This will help her much in relief of symptoms. She must keep the skin of her feet soft with application of a skin softner like Vaseline. She should also use soft insoled, pressure distributing insoled foot wear at all times. Materials like EVA, Poron, Silicon, Plastazote are good.