Surgical decompression for painful diabetic peripheral nerve compression and neuropathy: a comprehensive approach to...

Diabetic nerve decompression is not for every patient. There is a definite learning curve to the surgery and recovery process and the surgeon must be available to the patient for concerns during the recovery period. The surgery itself is not very complex and can be mastered over time. Pain relief and return to activity results have been excellent and overall, the surgical decompression patients fair better in regard to ulcer formation and amputation risk than those without decompression. It is essential to select patients carefully and to make sure that the testing and examination findings discussed in the article are present before surgery.