Of the millions of Americans living with diabetes, an estimated half of all diabetes patients will develop diabetic neuropathy at some point in their lives. Diabetic neuropathy can leave patients dealing with challenging symptoms ranging from pain to loss of sensation, ulcers, and even the risk of amputation. At Specialty Pain Management, our team works with patients struggling with diabetic neuropathy to help them address neuropathic pain with minimally invasive procedures, including peripheral nerve stimulation, targeted nerve blocks, and radiofrequency treatments. We’ll take a closer look at these treatment options to help you learn more about your treatment options for neuropathic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy when standard medications alone fail to provide you with pain relief.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain Management
Peripheral nerve stimulation can be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain caused by diabetic neuropathy when other treatment options have failed to adequately address your pain. Treatment with peripheral nerve stimulation involves placing thin wire leads near affected peripheral nerves to deliver electrical pulses to the nerve. These pulses disrupt pain signals and prevent them from causing the sensations of neuropathic pain commonly seen with diabetic neuropathy. Unlike pain management medications, peripheral nerve stimulation works directly on the affected nerves without the side effects you may experience with other pain management medications. This treatment option is ideal for some diabetic neuropathy patients who:
- Haven’t had success with pain management medications
- Have localized nerve pain
- Are looking for a minimally invasive and medication-free option
If you’re considering peripheral nerve stimulation for diabetic neuropathy pain, Specialty Pain Management’s team is here to help you decide if this treatment option might work for your pain management goals.
Targeted Nerve Blocks for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain
Another treatment option for diabetic neuropathy pain that hasn’t been properly addressed with medication is targeted nerve blocks. With targeted nerve blocks, a local anesthetic combined with an anti-inflammatory is injected into the treatment site near the peripheral nerves. This causes pain signals to be blocked at their source, providing patients with pain relief from hyper-irritated nerves. Targeted nerve blocks can be an excellent treatment option for patients dealing with diabetic neuropathy who:
- Need fast, same-day pain relief
- Want to reduce their reliance on oral medications
- Want a minimally invasive treatment option
We recommend targeted nerve blocks for many of our diabetic neuropathy patients who need faster, same-day pain relief, and we can do the same for you if this treatment option is deemed appropriate.
Radiofrequency Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy Pain
When other treatments like pain management medications have failed, radiofrequency treatments are an effective option for diabetic neuropathy pain. Radiofrequency treatments use controlled energy to target and disrupt nerves responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Pulsed radiofrequency ablation is the typical version of radiofrequency treatment used for diabetic neuropathy, as it can block nerve signaling without permanently damaging nerves. Radiofrequency treatments might be appropriate for your pain management if:
- You want to delay more invasive procedures
- You are looking to improve walking tolerance
- You are looking for a medication-free alternative
Specialty Pain Management can help you explore your treatment options with radiofrequency therapy and help you determine if this treatment works for you and your goals.
Explore Your Medication-Free Treatment Options for Diabetic Neuropathy at Specialty Pain Management
If you are looking to explore medication-free treatment options for diabetic neuropathy, you’re in the right place. Specialty Pain Management’s team of board-certified pain management doctors has decades of experience helping pain patients find effective treatment options for challenging cases of chronic pain. To schedule your first consult with our team, reach out to one of our offices today.