Are you Diabetic?
Do you suffer from PAINFUL, BURNING, TINGLING and NUMBNESS in your feet?

Neuropathy (nerve damage) usually presents in the Diabetic as a painful, burning, tingling and numbing sensation in the feet. According to the American Diabetes Association approximately 17 million people suffer from Diabetes and half of them will develop some degree of neuropathy. Unfortunately, diabetic neuropathy is the leading cause of ulceration and infection which may result in amputation. Traditionally, good sugar (glucose) control, pain medications (narcotics, anti-depressants) and some topical medications (capsascian) were the only treatments physicians had to help their patients with this painful condition. Annual testing for neuropathy in the diabetic patient has become the standard by the American Diabetes Association; however, these tests have been shown to be inaccurate and non-quantitative. In addition, these traditional tests measure myelinated nerves and are invasive, resulting in discomfort to the patient while testing.

PSSD (Neurosensory Testing)
The PSSD (pressure-specific sensory device) is a non-invasive, reliable, computer assisted testing device which will help determine the level at which a patient is experiencing neuropathic symptoms. In addition, the PSSD will also help determine whether a patient is a candidate for specific nerve decompressions which has been shown to have 80-90% success with reversing the symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.

NERVE DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURE
The operation is performed in an outpatient setting. The procedure is done through three small soft tissue incisions, taking approximately 1-2 hours. Patients return home the day of the surgery with a walker for assistance for the first 2 weeks post-operatively. 80% will return to a sneaker at 2-3 weeks. The majority of patients will have significant neuropathic pain reduction in the first hours following the operation. However, some patients may not have full pain and sensory recovery for up to 1 year.

If you suffer from Diabetic Neuropathy and are interested in being evaluated with the PSSD to see if you are a candidate for this new, out patient surgical technique, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Rick Delmonte, DPM, FACFAS at the office of Belvedere Podiatry: (212) 874-3578.

**The information contained here is not meant as a substitution for direct medical advice. Please see your doctor if you are experiencing any troublesome symptoms.**

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