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What Causes Loss Of Body Balance When Suffering From Diabetic Neuropathy?
Question: Dear Dr. Grief, Last fall I fell 7-8 times--lost my balance. I learned that I have some neuropathy in my feet due to my diabetes and the fact that I quit my meds for 2-3 years. I am back on my meds now, but my balance seems to be getting worse. I am 5'10", female, 260# and 65. I started using a walker which helps but makes me feel feeble. I have lost weight--I was 333#--and I am trying to lose more.
My question is: do I need an orthopedist or an endocrinologist? Or what? I don't want to take any more pills; we can't afford them. And I definitely don't want surgery. Right now, my right leg hurts in the groin, and that knee freezes up if I sit too long, I can't always walk the stiffness out and the pain is just bearable.
I put an ice pack on it the other day and that seemed to help. This leg will wake me up at night so I get up and walk around a bit. It helps but not for long.
Any suggestions? XXXXXXX
My question is: do I need an orthopedist or an endocrinologist? Or what? I don't want to take any more pills; we can't afford them. And I definitely don't want surgery. Right now, my right leg hurts in the groin, and that knee freezes up if I sit too long, I can't always walk the stiffness out and the pain is just bearable.
I put an ice pack on it the other day and that seemed to help. This leg will wake me up at night so I get up and walk around a bit. It helps but not for long.
Any suggestions? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Dear madam I can understand your concern
I am very sorry for your condition.
As you rightly said Diabetic neuropathy might be the cause for instability of the joint but considering your age we need to rule out the involvement of knee joint also.
I suggest you to see an Orthopedic doctor for evaluation of your knee by doing x-ray and other related investigations.Most of patients coming to my clinic with arthritis are doing very well after joint replacement.
I need to know what is the reason for stopping of the medications for 2-3 yrs.
I am very happy to see that you lost much if your weight,By reducing your weigh you can reduce the burden on knee joint .Using walker is a very good idea and it will add to your stability.
Doing physiotherapy like mild stretching and use of ice packs is an excellent wag to control the pain and I appreciate your efforts very much.
kindly continue them,
I suggest you to discuss with you doctor regarding usage of supplements like vitamin B12 and Alpha lipoic acid for slowing down the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
kindly see an Ortho specialist first.
regards
Dr Vamsi
Diabetologist
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Dear madam I can understand your concern
I am very sorry for your condition.
As you rightly said Diabetic neuropathy might be the cause for instability of the joint but considering your age we need to rule out the involvement of knee joint also.
I suggest you to see an Orthopedic doctor for evaluation of your knee by doing x-ray and other related investigations.Most of patients coming to my clinic with arthritis are doing very well after joint replacement.
I need to know what is the reason for stopping of the medications for 2-3 yrs.
I am very happy to see that you lost much if your weight,By reducing your weigh you can reduce the burden on knee joint .Using walker is a very good idea and it will add to your stability.
Doing physiotherapy like mild stretching and use of ice packs is an excellent wag to control the pain and I appreciate your efforts very much.
kindly continue them,
I suggest you to discuss with you doctor regarding usage of supplements like vitamin B12 and Alpha lipoic acid for slowing down the progression of diabetic neuropathy.
kindly see an Ortho specialist first.
regards
Dr Vamsi
Diabetologist
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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