Peripheral Nerve Decompression 

Surgical Peripheral Nerve Decompression for Diabetic and Nondiabetic Neuropathy

Definition of Neuropathy

Neuro/pathy. Neuro: meaning pertaining to the nerves. Pathy: derived from the greek word pathos, which means sickness or disease of a particular system.

Symptoms

Most patients suffering with some form of Neuropathy describe the following symptoms: numbness, burning, loss of sensation, restless legs, and loss of balance. Usually pain is most severe with the first step in the morning, or after a period of rest. The pain can be described as a "stone bruise" by some, and a stabbing pain by others.

Cause

Diabetes and certain other diseases may cause a swelling of the nerve. Areas where these peripheral nerves pass through anatomic tunnels, such as the carpal tunnel in the hand, may become chronically compressed. By decompressing an entrapped nerve, the nerve has the ability to regenerative even in the diabetic patient. In many cases there can be a restoration of sensation, decrease in the neuropathic pain, and an increase in balance.

Treatment

There have been numerous studies which have documented that there can be a restoration of sensation, and a reduction of pain in patients with symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy after surgical neurolysis.