An estimated 20 million people in the United States suffer from some form of neuropathy, a condition that affects the normal activity of the nerves that connect the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord — to the rest of the body.
Neuropathy can involve various different nerve types, including motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves. It can also be categorized by the size of the nerve fibers involved, large or small.
As Neuropathy Treatment Centers, Delray Beach & Boynton Beach Podiatry provide patients access to advanced neuropathy treatments through the use of state-of-the-art technology and personal one-on-one care, provided by Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum and Dr. Larry J. Kipp.
Dr. Larry J. Kipp (left) and Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum treating a patient at the Neuropathy Treatment Center.
“We can offer treatments for the lower extremities that most doctors do not have,” said Dr. Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience. “We offer the newest technological advances for the treatment of neuropathy.”
In the world of podiatry, most cases of peripheral neuropathy are found in the feet and develop from nerve damage caused by diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy can occur in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce the insulin necessary to convert glucose into the energy that the body needs. Type 2 diabetes, which is far more common, occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly.
It has been estimated that between 60 to 70 percent of diabetics will deal with some form of neuropathy in their lifetime, compared to only a 25 to 30 percent chance for non-diabetics.
“The treatment of neuropathy is the biggest part of my practice,” Dr. Goldbaum said. “I’ve spent the past 33 years perfecting the care and treatment of neuropathy for the lower extremities. My significant expertise in this area, especially helping diabetics, chemotherapy patients and vascular patients, has resulted in a higher level of patient satisfaction. We now have the newest technology and provide full treatment in our facility in order to give our patients the most efficacious and convenient care possible.”
While diabetes is one of the primary causes of neuropathy, it certainly isn’t the only one. For cancer patients, chemotherapy and other drugs used to treat cancer can damage peripheral nerves, which causes neuropathy. When this happens it is called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).
Alcoholic neuropathy, meanwhile, occurs in people who drink too much, as alcohol can be toxic to nerve tissue. Thiamine, folate, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and vitamin E are all needed for proper nerve function. Unfortunately, drinking too much can actually alter levels of these nutrients and affect the spread of alcoholic neuropathy.
The symptoms of neuropathy vary depending on the type and location of the nerves involved. These symptoms either appear suddenly, which is called acute neuropathy, or develop slowly over time, called chronic neuropathy.
If you have damaged nerves in your legs and feet, you might not feel heat, cold, or pain. This lack of feeling is called “sensory neuropathy.” If you do not feel a cut or sore on your foot because of neuropathy, the cut could get worse and become infected.
According to Dr. Goldbaum, the most common symptoms of neuropathy found in the feet of his patients are cramping sensations, numbing sensations, tightening, tingling or burning, and an overall decrease in sensation. A change in how the toes feel sensations often also signals that something might be wrong.
Other symptoms of neuropathy include:
- Muscle atrophy
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of reflexes
- Feeling that you are wearing socks or gloves when you are not
- Difficulty walking or moving your arms or legs
- Muscle twitching
- Skin, hair or nail changes
- Inability to detect changes in heat and cold
As a Neuropathy Center, Dr. Goldbaum and Dr. Kipp have the ability to provide patients with the best care possible through numerous advanced treatments and state-of-the-art technology, including Cold Laser Therapy, Circulator Boot Therapy and Micro-Vas Vascular Treatment.
In addition to these treatments, the Neuropathy Treatment Center can also offer patients numerous products and services to improve the lifestyle of those living with neuropathy, including Gait-Scan Analysis for fall prevention, Circulation Testing, and pharmaceuticals, such as Neurvasia, to treat daily aches and pains and improve vascular health.
“We’re an all-inclusive center,” Dr. Goldbaum said.
The goal of these treatments is to provide individuals suffering from neuropathy with effective solutions to quickly improve their comfort and quality of life without surgery.
If you believe you are suffering from neuropathy, please see our contract information below to speak with one of our staff members and to set up a free consultation at a Neuropathy Treatment Center.
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The content on this website is for informational purposes only. Do not rely or act upon information from www.DelrayBeachPodiatry.com without seeking professional medical advice. If you live in South Florida and would like a consultation with Dr. Ian Goldbaum, a podiatric physician and surgeon with over 30 years of experience, please see our contact information below:
BOCA/DELRAY
16244 S. Military Trail #290, Delray Beach, FL 33484
561-499-0033
BOYNTON BEACH
8198 Jog Road #100, Boynton Beach, FL 33472
561-499-0033
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