At The Michigan Center for Pain Management, our Board-Certified physicians are always looking for the latest treatment options for various conditions, including diabetic neuropathy. The American Diabetes Association estimates that roughly half of all people with diabetes have some amount of nerve damage or neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is more common the longer you have diabetes and can cause several different health problems that should be addressed to avoid longer-term issues.
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy, in its simplest form, is nerve damage due to diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, high blood glucose levels, and high levels of triglycerides or fats, the more it can damage your nerves, causing neuropathy. Symptoms depend on the type of diabetic neuropathy you have. We’ve outlined the major types of diabetic neuropathy below:
- Peripheral Neuropathy – a type of nerve damage caused by diabetes that typically affects the feet and legs. Peripheral neuropathy can also sometimes affect the hands and arms. This is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy.
- Autonomic Neuropathy – a type of neuropathy that damages nerves that control your internal organs.
- Focal Neuropathies – a type of neuropathy where you have damage to single nerves in your body, typically in your torso, arm, leg, or head.
Daily Challenges of Living With Diabetic Neuropathy
Living with diabetic neuropathy can be extremely challenging as it impacts everything you do. Some of the most common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include:
- Numbness or tingling
- Intermittent pain that can be unpredictable
- Burning pain or pain that feels like you’re walking on nails or rocks
- Pain that gets worse at night even without activity
- Pain that starts at the tips of fingers or toes and moves back toward the spine
Typical Treatment Options for Diabetic Neuropathy
Below are some of the first treatment options most medical providers will try for patients dealing with diabetic neuropathy.
- Diet changes– Improving your sugar control through diet changes has been shown to reduce some of the negative symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
- Medication – Various medications have shown some benefits for those dealing with diabetic neuropathy, including some antidepressants, seizure medications, and various topical creams.
- Spinal cord stimulation
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Diabetic Neuropathy
Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that offers relief for patients with diabetic neuropathy. It involves an experienced doctor placing small electrical leads into the spinal canal to send electrical pulses into the spine that disrupt pain signals coming from the periphery to the brain. A small, implantable device transmits these electrical signals.
There is a trial period for every patient undergoing spinal cord stimulation. This trial period includes a temporary, external device to ensure the patient sees improvement and reduced pain. Only after a positive outcome is the device permanently implanted into the patient.
Why Is Spinal Cord Stimulation A Good Option For Those Dealing With Diabetic Neuropathy?
Below are several reasons why spinal cord stimulation may be a good option if you’re dealing with diabetic neuropathy:
- Covered By Insurance – Insurance often covers spinal cord stimulation procedures, including Medicare.
- Minimally Invasive – Similar to other spine procedures patients have typically experienced.
- Fluoroscopic Guidance Used for Electrical Lead Placement – Our Board-Certified doctors have extensive experience performing procedures like spinal cord stimulation.
- Trial Period – Spinal cord stimulation is one of the few medical procedures that have a trial period. Only after you experience positive results do we recommend a permanent installation of the electrical leads close to the painful nerve causing your neuropathy.
Interested in Learning If You’re a Good Candidate for Spinal Cord Stimulation?
Are you experiencing diabetic neuropathy and wonder if you may be a good candidate for spinal cord stimulation? If so, why not schedule an appointment with one of the doctors at The Michigan Center for Pain Management? We will perform a thorough examination, discuss your health concerns, and determine if spinal cord stimulation is a good option for you. To schedule an appointment with a medical team member, contact our office today by phone at (248) 923-1905.