Post Surgical Neuropathic Pain
Janice was relieved when she learned that her back pain was something that could be fixed with surgery. She wasn't the type to run to surgery as a solution, but when the pain in her back was keeping her from her daily training walk in the neighborhood with her girl friends for the Turkey Trot come November, she knew she had to do something. Her girl friends supported her through the surgery, and her best friend Deborah was there for her from her pre-op appointment to her post-op visit.
“After surgery my back had changed from a sharp pain, to a dull ache and I thought I was in the clear.” Janice reveals. “However as soon as the heavy duty pain meds wore off, I started to feel sharp shooting pains in my feet! I couldn't wear my walking shoes because my feet felt excruciating.”
Janice was one of up to 50% of people who experience a type of pain called by medical specialists post-surgical neuropathic pain or PSNP. PSNP can occur when nerves are damaged during surgery. When these nerves become damaged, their signaling between the body and the brain goes haywire. The normal sensations of walking, putting on shoes and socks, or even sitting with your feet up on a recliner, can become amplified. This amplification in nerve signals leads to chronic pain which can be burning, stabbing, shooting, tingling, or stinging. Most dangerously the overstimulated nerve cells can give up the ghost and become numb. Most terrible is when falls occur when you don't feel the ground beneath your feet leading to broken bones and hip fractures.
Deborah was visiting Janice one day when she stumbled on the polished hardwood floors when coming to open the door. “I caught myself just in time. It was scary to say the least.” At that moment Deborah resolved to find a solution for her friend.
After research which included asking google, her prayer group, and her walking group, Deborah discovered Peachtree City Acupuncture, known for its comprehensive approach to peripheral neuropathy. With renewed hope, Janice scheduled a consultation with Dr. Frank. On her first visit, Dr. Frank carefully assessed Janice's symptoms and created a personalized treatment plan based on Janice’s goals of getting walking again in time for the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving!
When asked, Dr. Frank expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to help patients like Janice regain their independence and improve their quality of life. "It's truly an honor to be part of each and everyone of our patient’s journey toward reclaiming mobility after surgery," he added. "Seeing patients regain the freedom to walk, spend time with friends is a blessing."
As she continued to attend her sessions, Janice noticed gradual improvements in her ability to walk and wear shoes that weren’t 2 sizes to big. The burning and tingling sensations faded. "I feel like I've regained my life," Janice shared, her voice filled with renewed vigor. "Peachtree City Acupuncture has given me my joy back. I have joy in joining my friends for our daily walks. I can't express how much that means to me"
If you or someone you know is suffering from post surgical neuropathic pain, don’t give up hope! The burning and pain are not something you need to get used to or sit and wait, hoping they will subside. Give us a call to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors today. 770-756-1979. To put pain in your past and live your life.