Nerve Surgery Can Give Back Life And Limb - Breakthrough Procedure

November 28, 2007

Nerve Surgery Can Give Back Life And Limb

Some Neuropathy Patients Being Cured With Breakthrough Procedure

" Itching, burning ... feels like there's little things crawling

around inside your skin, " said 82-year-old Leweck.

That's how he's been feeling for the past 15 years. He has

peripheral neuropathy in his feet. That means the nerves have

stopped working. It also means that he can't do the things he loves,

like working on his 30-acre property.

" Walking around the woods, if you see my scars, I didn't know that

was happening because there's no feeling there, " he said. " This

particular disease has taught me what suicide is. It's a way out.

It's a way to escape a pain you can't do anything about. "

But Leweck is about to undergo a simple surgery that he and his wife

hope will give him a new life. Up until now, the Lewecks have been

told that there's no cure for this debilitating disease

Doctors believe neuropathy affects 6 to 10 millions of Americans

each year, particularly diabetes patients. And lots of different

things can cause it. Besides diabetes, neuropathy can result from

lupus, Lyme disease, even heavy metal poisoning.

At Baltimore's Institute of Peripheral Nerve Surgery, a group of

plastic surgeons has figured out that in many cases of this

condition, the nerves are simply swollen and being compressed. So

these surgeons are building the nerves a bigger space, so they have

more room to breathe.

" The patients where you can help them with their pain or improve

their sensation, " said Dr. Gedge Rosson. " It's really fantastic.

They have been told so many times there's absolutely nothing they

can do to help them with their symptoms, but there really is. "

Immediately after surgery, Leweck said he's able to feel his toes

and lower leg. He can even wiggle his toes and feel his wife's

touch, something he hasn't felt in years.

" I was afraid my life was over as far as things I like to do, but

this has given me renewed faith, " Leweck said.

" Now it looks as though we found a cure and yes, you better believe

that's a miracle, " said wife, Norma Leweck.

More Information at Dellon Institute For Peripheral Nerve Surgery

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