Local patients with neuropathy win national contest.
Two patients at Active Care Rehab in Glendale recently won infrared treatment units in a national contest, sponsored by the machine’s manufacturer Anodyne Therapy. George Jones, and Forrest Waymire-Cooper, both from Milwaukee, received the infrared devices (valued at $1500.00 each). Both patients had been receiving treatment for their peripheral neuropathy at Active Care Rehab, a physical therapy and sports medicine clinic in Glendale.
George Jones retired from VA after 37 years and now works as a crossing guard for MPS. He was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 1997 and a few years later, he developed neuropathy symptoms in his feet which cause him to have sensations of numbness, tingling and pain. Jones, like others with diabetes sometimes has difficulty maintaining a normal blood sugar level and as a result has developed circulatory problems which can lead to damaged nerves.
“The numbness started as a small spot on my feet and spread. Now it’s across the balls of my feet into my toes. Sometimes it makes it hard to stand outside.” Said Jones. “After the treatment, my feet feel more normal.”
Diabetes is rapidly becoming an epidemic in the United States, epically Type II (formally called adult onset). Type II usually appears in persons over the age of 40 and is associated with physical inactivity and in persons who are overweight. Usually symptoms are not obvious at first, but if left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, amputation or death. Approximately 21 million Americans have diabetes and another 41 million people have a high blood sugar level. In 2002, the American Diabetes Association reported that this disease cost $132 billion and each year this figure gets larger. Diabetes is also the leading cause of blindness among adults.
Dr Molly Rittberg, physical therapist at Active Care Rehab explains how diabetes causes neuropathy: “The small blood vessels can become damaged and the nerve endings aren’t adequately supplied with the fuel they need to perform effectively. Patient start to notice pain, balance problems or difficulty walking. We treat many patients with various levels of damage from mild tingling to total numbness.”
Diabetics are encouraged to exercise in order to help regulate their blood sugar levels and physical therapists address patient’s fitness levels as part of their treatment. Many of the patients with neuropathy have foot pain and don’t get adequate exercise. It’s difficult for them to walk because of the neuropathy which makes regulating their sugar even harder and leads to poor circulation.
This loss of circulation and sensation can lead to more serious medical conditions. Some patients develop wounds and foot ulcers that don’t heal quickly and can result in amputations. Other patients experience loss of balance or falls that leave them with broken bones or other injuries. Falls are one the leading causes of injury in the elderly. The American Physical Therapy Association reported a 96% reduction in falls in patients with loss of protective sensation after receiving neuropathy therapy program.
Although he is not elderly and does not suffer from diabetes, Forrest Waymire-Cooper has suffered from neuropathy for many years. He was diagnosed as HIV positive at the age of 19 and has battled the disease for almost twenty years. He has had to take high doses of anti-viral and antibiotic medications to ward off the effects of the virus, but has suffered from numerous side-effects, among them numbness and pain thorough his hands and feet and legs.
Waymire-Cooper describes his symptoms as “shredded glass on the tips of my toes on extreme days. Other times it feels like my feet are in boiling water. I can’t wear socks because they’re too constrictive and it feels like there are rope burns on my ankles.”
Since starting Anodyne therapy, Waymire-Cooper has been able to decrease his neuropathy medication. “I get lots of relief after the treatment. The pain and pressure are much more tolerable.”
Anodyne Therapy is a simple, safe, non-invasive treatment option for people who suffer from painful, numb feet. The treatment consists of strapping small pads to the affected areas for approximately 30 minutes. Patient may feel some warmth during the session, but no significant pain. The physical therapist also designs an individualize exercise program for each patient to address his or her specific needs. Balance, gait and stretching exercises are usually incorporated to help patients improve their functional levels. “We like to get our patients moving again, so they can get their lives back.” Says Dr Rittberg.
Anodyne received FDA approval in 1994, but has not been widely utilized. “This treatment has been available for many years, but many doctors don’t know about it.” Explains Dr Rittberg.
But numerous studies prove the benefits of Anodyne. 2239 patient were examined in one study that was published in Diabetes and Its Complications and showed that 67% of patients with chronic foot and leg pain had a decrease in symptoms after Anodyne. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics also reported that 272 patients at 7 facilities demonstrated significant pain reduction and improvement in functional outcomes with Anodyne.
“We are thrilled to be able to give two patients from Active Care Rehab complimentary Anodyne home units” says Pat Harkensee the clinical sales consultant for Anodyne Therapy in Wisconsin. “Active Care Rehab was one of the first sites in the state of Wisconsin to offer Anodyne Therapy. Their patients have had remarkable results over the past 8 years and we hope to present additional free home units to more of their patients in the future.”
Anodyne and physical therapy treatments are covered by all major insurances including Medicare, Medicaid and Title XIX. Most patients need a prescription from their doctor in order to begin therapy and once a patient is referred to Active Care Rehab, a physical therapist performs a thorough, initial evaluation. The patients’ history, sensation, balance, strength and flexibility are assessed before treatment is started. The P.T. then designs a plan of care based on the patient’s needs and abilities. Physical therapists have extensive training and knowledge of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems and communicate with a patient’s doctor in order to optimize functional gains.
