J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.
2013 Dec;17(4):251-256.
Diabetic Neuropathy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Universtiy of Korea, Seoul, Korea. koreafoot@gmail.com
Abstract
- Neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes. It is characterized by a progressive loss of peripheral nerve fibers. The development of the neuropathy is linked to poor glycemic control, age, and the duration of diabetes. Peripheral sensory polyneuropathy is the most common type in neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is the most significant etiologic factorof the foot ulcer that may leads to amputation. Current treatments in diabetic neuropathy have no definitive effects on repair or reverse the damaged nerve but only to relieve of symptoms, especially on pain. When the focal compressive neuropathy is combined with diabetic neuropathy, the nerve would be more vulnerable and symptoms might get worse. Surgery is indicated for decompression of an entrapped nerve, like posterior tibial nerve in tarsal tunnel, after failure of the initial conservative treatments.
