Diabetes can create a number of complications that can negatively affect the quality of life. Diabetic neuropathy is perhaps one of the early signs that the disease is not being managed well. About 50% of people suffering from diabetes have diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a nerve disorder that is accelerated by elevated blood sugars over an extended period of time. Diabetics of at least 10 years have high chances of suffering from diabetic neuropathy. In addition to elevated blood sugars, high blood pressure and high cholesterol seem to be responsible for advancing diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetic neuropathy. The only viable treatments available are used to manage diabetic neuropathy by slowing the progression of the disease, relieving its symptomatic pain and restoring bodily function. Some patients are, however, often unable to tolerate the multitude of adverse effects such as dizziness and depression.
Dr. Bill Releford, a podiatric surgeon based in Los Angeles, has developed a new, cost-effective treatment to manage diabetic neuropathy using the power of regenerative medicine. One aspect of his treatment protocol involves using stem cells and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) to facilitate peripheral nerve repair.
Dr. Releford’s technique concentrates the patient’s own nerve growth factors derived from the patients own blood. This high concentration of nerve growth factors is then administered on a weekly basis for about a month. Most patients report moderate to significant relief of their symptoms and an overall improvement in the quality of life.
Symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy typically present in one or more of the following ways:
- Numbness, tingling and burning sensations in the feet and legs especially at night
- Pins and needle sensations
- Sharp stabbing pain especially at night
- Inflammation and tenderness of the skin
- Non-healing ulcerations on the feet and hands
- Muscle weakness that makes movement difficult
- Loss of balance
- Dizziness
According to 2012 statistics by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, over 20 million people suffer from diabetic neuropathy. Dr. Bill Releford is a pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine and the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. For more information, please call 310-412-0183.
