Foot neuropathy: What gives you relief?

I am 77 and need the same surgery. I'm hesitant because back surgery is always a roll of the dice. So, I live with the numbness and pain as best I can.

Good evening Genie @tigereyes2004. It sounds like you have made a decision that takes into account your age (73) and your current physical condition. My life at or around 73 seemed to present the same dilemma. I had a major fall down a mountain and my right shoulder had not responded to two surgical attempts. The only option was a reverse shoulder replacement. The pain I dealt with daily was not responsive to acupuncture, physical therapy, or medication. So with my surgeon's loyal support, I underwent the reverse shoulder replacement. The surgery was done well. I received excellent post-surgical care and physical therapy. After spending a year in pain, I was thrilled to be pain-free once again. My enthusiasm for my business, my friends, and my friendly pets came back easily and I just remember being happy every morning.

You may not have discovered this recent news. It is now possible to custom-make the shoulder replacement mechanism the same way they create the knee mechanics. That should make a lot of difference. Mine was the best choice at the time. So technological advancement has made that surgery more accurate.

Your other concern is neck fusion. About two years later I began to have pain and numbness in the shoulder replacement arm. Come to find out it was a neck issue and both surgeons supported a fusion surgery. That one wasn't the easiest surgery I have been through, predominantly because of the rather uncomfortable neck brace I had to wear for three months.
However, I have absolutely no pain or discomfort and good ROM as long as I do my neck exercises.

Now I am 81. At this age with SFN (small fiber neuropathy) complete with pain and strain........I, like you, would not want to spend a considerable length of time in post-surgical recovery. So....I think I can see both sides of your situation.

Have you been able to see videos of the surgeries? That sure helped me understand what to expect. I don't have the reverse shoulder images. However, I will attach the neck fusion results.

May you be safe, free, and protected from inner and outer harm.
Chris

I don’t know about neck fusion but I would think you could have the shoulder replacement. I have needed the shoulder replacement for many yrs but because my back pain is so severe I opt not to have it . I don’t think I could tolerate that much pain in my shoulder and my back . You would have to have a big comfy chair lounger for the replacement because you can’t lay down for a while, no way will my back hold up sleeping like that . I still can do everything I need to do with my arm except bring it up over my head and my arm doesn’t hurt so that the way I feel about it plus I’m 78 yrs old and I have smoked all my life so the surgeon would not operate on me until I quit for 3 months I’ve never stop

Hi
I just read your email.
Thank you very much for taking the time to inform me about your experience.
I guess I should look up the video & see.
I was at the dr. in Vegas yesterday to find out about my shoulder & this dr. said he only fixes them but does not do reconstructive.
So, you say they can do a reverse & that would be better?
I have back problems too. Scoliosis & the neck so that is why I am hesitant on everything.
Plus with this Neuropathy, it is killing me.
I guess I will just try & wait it out but just afraid it will get worse with time & then I will need to do it anyways.
Thank you so much for sharing. I am going to watch the videos.
God bless you
Genie

@katrina Welcome to connect We aren't Dr,s but tell of our experience . I have neuropathy ,fibromyalgia and lots of back problems . Have you seen your Dr or rheumatologist ,neurologist about Gabapentin for the neuropathy? Also I use for mine a product called Fibro cream by Topricin It does help me along with the gabapentin. Stretching your feet helps also along with exercise of the feet as you said. Good luck

I never realized how common foot neuropathy is. I didn’t want to take another pill so I tried acupuncture and massage and both helped. I wish I could say it made it go away but that hasn’t happened yet. I’m starting to think get treatments more often might work. I also used this device that is like a tens device only with more connectors and a variety of settings. I put it on and move the sticky connectors around while watching tv with my feet up. Hope something I mentioned works.

@imallears, @parrotqueen HI I am investigating a pain killer med that is naturel and its no CBD Its called Conolidine and is from the bark of a plant Alkaloid just came in mail today. It was discovered in the Scripps research in Florida Mary According to this report it is 17 times stronger then Morphine but is not a narcotic with the side effects. The pharmacy selling it is PharmOrigins I haven't looked on line yet to see or read anymore about it I wanted to call your attention to it first so we could do our own research.

What is the name of the device you use that’s similar to a tens unit?