Robert Wood Johnson Health System

When you live with peripheral neuropathy, numbness and pain may be facts of life. Yet, one solution offers patients powerful results. "My wife, Maria, and I love to take walks together, but my diabetes was causing pain in my feet and upper legs, as well as the sensation that there was something in my shoe when there was not. After a few days of MicroVas, the pain in my feet subsided, and I regained my balance. We were able to enjoy hiking while on a trip to our native Portugal." —DIONILDO FERNANDES EASING THE DISCOMFORT When the nerves in your body are healthy, they can transport messages to achieve optimal function, movement, and sensation. However, if one or several of your nerves are damaged by certain medical complications or treatments such as chemotherapy, you may experience a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. "Characterized by numbness, pain, and weakness, typically in the feet and the hands, peripheral neuropathy may be associated with a variety of conditions, including diabetes, peripheral artery disease [PAD], and restless leg syndrome [RLS]," says Paul Abend, DO, FAAPMR, Medical Director of Rehabilitation Services at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway. "After ruling out other conditions, we offer solutions beyond medication for neuropathic pain relief." PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR PAIN If you are the type of person who tries to tough out discomfort, you may experience consequences of your peripheral neuropathy that are more than just sleepless nights. For example, you may not notice when your fingers or toes come into contact with something that is dangerously hot. You may also not be able to feel infections on areas of the body that you do not see often, such as the bottoms of your feet. Moreover, if your feet are totally numb, you may not be able to feel the floor. You may begin to develop problems with balance when standing or walking. MICROVAS THERAPY If you have failed to find relief through conventional approaches, such as antiepileptic medications, pain relievers, and topical treatments, a form of therapy known as MicroVas may help. Designed to promote oxygenation and nutrient delivery in the blood through electrical currents, this minimally invasive therapy is delivered on an outpatient basis. After a thorough medical evaluation, Dr. Abend begins by administering 12 rounds of 40-minute treatments, three times a week. Then patients see a physical therapist for balance and gait retraining. If neuropathy is not resolved, patients may receive one more round of the 12-week therapy plan. "MicroVas has a quick turnaround response and is a great option for many patients with diabetes, PAD, RLS, and nerve damage related to chemotherapy," Dr. Abend says. "After receiving MicroVas, many patients begin to notice improved color in the legs, diminished numbness and tingling, and reduced pain. If you think you may benefit from this option, why not try it?" For other patient success stories, look through previous issues of The Rose or visit www.rwjbh.org/patient-stories/a-miraculous-recovery/ to read more about the power of MicroVas treatment. Talk with your physician about how MicroVas may help minimize or eliminate neuropathic pain. To schedule an appointment, call (732) 499-6012. Mysterious Condition OF A 3 SPRING 2018

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