KERRY ZANG, DPM Diplomat, American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgury Q: What is neuropathy? A: The presence of burning,
Q: What if you’re already being treated for neuropathy?
tingling or numbness often leads
A: If you’re not finding relief
to a diagnosis of neuropathy,
from medication or treatment,
yet in many cases it’s not.
it may be time to consider the
As doctors, we were taught
fact that it may not be neurop-
that neuropathy is neurological
athy. A second opinion may be
condition that only gets worse.
helpful to determine the cause
In recent years, I started to look
of the tingling, pain or numbness
at neuropathy as more of a
in your feet.
vascular disease (related to poor circulation) rather than a nerve condition, but I had no way to prove it.
Q: What has changed in diagnosing neuropathy?
Q: What has been the problem with traditional treatments? A: Just treating the symptoms is my biggest concern with traditional treatments. If we
A: I’m now doing a more exten-
don’t find out what’s causing the
sive exam to evaluate circulation
problem, all we are doing is sup-
in the foot. I also work with a
pressing the symptoms allowing
team of endovascular physicians
the condition to progress. If we
who can evaluate if there are
can increase circulation, oxygen
10555 N Tatum Blvd,
any blockages in the blood
and nutrition can get to the
vessels below the ankle. A block-
affected nerves and regenera-
Ste A101
age affects circulation and, in
tion may occur.
many cases, may be the cause of neuropathy symptoms.
Q: If there is a blockage, what’s next?
Q: When should someone seek help? A: There is no benefit to waiting to see a doctor. I always say it’s
A: Patients undergo a thorough
best to make an appointment at
examination and those that are
the first signs of a problem. But
candidates have a minimally
it’s also never too late seek help.
invasive procedure performed
There are new advancements
in an office setting that basically
and protocols being developed
clears the blockages and allows
all the time, so it’s important to
for better circulation in the
learn if there is another option
affected areas. Many feel pain
available for you.
relief almost immediately.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 (602) 954-0777 azfeet.com itsnotneuropathy.com
FOOT & ANKLE
BUNIONS / HAMMER TOES / HEEL PAIN / FOOT PAIN / NEUROPATHY / FOOT & ANKLE ARTHRITIS