See a Diabetic Neuropathy Specialist in Los Angeles
At ProVascularMD, we provide cutting edge care for painful diabetic neuropathy. Browse our educational resources to learn more about conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
When you’re ready to see a diabetic neuropathy specialist, we’re here to help. Dr. Michael Lalezarian is double-board certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist at ProVascularMD that specializes in neuromodulation procedures for painful diabetic neuropathy. Dr. L is a committed partner in the battle against diabetes and its many complications. He values spending quality physician time with his patients to address their needs and concerns, and assist them on their journey to better health.
“Dr. L changed my life. He’s knowledgeable, caring and my experience with his office staff was as good as it gets. I wish all of my doctor visits felt this way. After a few pregnancies I was having incredibly painful varicose veins that was really wearing on me. The treatment was practically painless and I’m so happy with my results. He’ll be my vascular doctor moving forward.”
Michelle H, February 2022
About Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
Overview
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition in which nerves in the arms, hands, legs, feet, and other regions of the body are damaged by chronic, uncontrolled diabetes. The word “neuropathy” is used in medicine to describe disease or dysfunction of peripheral nerves (nerves in the arms and legs), and “diabetic neuropathy” describes when nerve dysfunction is caused by diabetes.
Pain
Progression
Causes
Complications
Comorbidities
Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms
Sensory nerves, motor nerves, and autonomic nerves may be affected by diabetic neuropathy, leading to several distinct symptoms.
Sensory Neuropathy
Motor Neuropathy
Autonomic Neuropathy
Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Diagnosis
A physical exam with basic sensory testing is often sufficient to diagnose diabetic neuropathy, but more extensive testing can help determine the nature and extent of the disease, including nerve conduction testing, electromyography, autonomic testing, biopsy, and imaging modalities like X-ray and CT.
Telltale signs of diabetic neuropathy include the loss of the ability to sense pain, light touch, temperature, vibration, or movement in the toes or feet. A loss or reduction of the Achilles tendon reflex is another telling sign of diabetic neuropathy.
Physical Exam
Your physician will assess your overall muscle strength and tone, tendon reflexes, sensitivity to touch, pain, temperature and vibration.
Filament Testing
Sensory Testing
Nerve Conduction Testing
Electromyography
Autonomic Testing
Additional tests may be done to determine how your blood pressure changes while you are in different positions, and whether your sweating is within the standard range.
Nerve Biopsy
Skin Biopsy
Imaging
CT or MRI scan can look for anatomical abnormalities affecting nerves or blood vessels.
Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment
Treatment for painful diabetic neuropathy is often multi-faceted, consisting of blood sugar control, lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise), feet care to avoid injuries, and interventions to manage pain. At ProVascularMD, we provide spinal cord stimulator surgery to help you overcome debilitating pain caused by diabetes.
Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
Diet and Exercise
Healthier lifestyle habits are critical to getting diabetes under control and preventing complications. Diet and exercise can improve symptoms and slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
Feet Care
Routine foot inspection is extremely important to prevent serious foot complications. Seek care immediately if you have an injury or sore.
Pain Control
Spinal Cord Stimulation
A spinal cord stimulator works by creating an electric field near the nerves along the spine. This electric field interferes with the electrical activity of the nerves that are involved with pain signaling to the brain. When the spinal cord stimulator is active, painful sensations are replaced with a mild tingling sensation. An important advantage of a spinal cord stimulator is that it can be personalized to your pain patterns and sensory preferences.
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