Our Temple Hills, MD Podiatrist Can Help With Your Neuropathy or Neuromas
MORTON’S NEUROMA
Are you experiencing numbness or tingling into the toes?
Do you feel a burning sensation on the ball of your foot or do you have the feeling that your sock is wrinkled?
IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE A NEUROMA.
A neuroma is an enlargement of the nerve that provides sensation to the toes. This enlargement can be due to poor foot structure, poorly fitting shoes or trauma to the feet.
Treatment for neuromas typically includes padding, custom orthotic devices, oral anti-inflammatory medication, cortizone injections or alcohol sclerosing therapy which usually eliminates the need for surgery. If these conservative treatments do not relieve the symptoms, surgical excision may be performed.
If you think you have a neuroma, schedule an appointment today with our practice, Dr. Burton J. Katzen, DPM, LLC to discuss and implement a comprehensive treatment plan.
NEUROPATHY
Diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage that can occur if you have diabetes. Elevated blood sugar can damage the nerves throughout your body, but the most common type of diabetic neuropathy damages the nerves in your legs and feet. It is estimated that 50% of diabetics will develop neuropathy.
Diabetic neuropathy symptoms can range from pain and numbness in your extremities to problems with your digestive system, urinary tract, blood vessels, and heart. These symptoms can be mild, or can be painful, disabling, and even fatal. It is a serious complication of diabetes, yet often can be prevented by tight blood sugar control, a healthy lifestyle, and early detection. Estimates are that a person with diabetic neuropathy has a six times greater chance of developing a serious diabetic complication. It is extremely important that treatment by a professional is sought.
NEW, NON-INVASIVE TESTING FOR DIABETIC NEUROPATHY
In the past, the main testing for detection of neuropathy involved a nerve conduction study, which was very inaccurate for detection of small nerve neuropathy. Another method was taking multiple skin samples which involved a minor surgical procedure under local anesthesia. Recently, a new non-invasive, painless diagnostic machine called Sudoscan has been developed which allows Dr. Katzen to perform an evaluation in under 5 minutes from start to finish. It enables him to evaluate the extent and progression of the neuropathy and predict the possibility of developing an as yet undetected small nerve neuropathy.
HOW SUDOSCAN WORKS
The Sudoscan works by detecting the degeneration of small nerve fibers as measured by the nerve innervation and function of the eccrine sweat glands of the hands and feet. The test is painless with the patient simply placing their hands and feet on detection pads for 3 minutes. A detailed computer printout is immediately available for interpretation by Dr. Katzen and the results can be discussed with the patient the same day.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms or have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with Dr. Burton J. Katzen, DPM, LLC for a comprehensive evaluation.