My 80 year old father has had type�1 diabetes for 60 years. He is experiencing chronic severe leg pain and inability to walk. The orthopedic surgeon indicates there is nothing he can do, and physical therapy has not helped. Is this a known complication of diabetes?

Your father may be experiencing painful neuropathy from his diabetes. It would be worthwhile for him to ask his physician as to what the most likely cause of the pain is. If it is likely to be from neuropathy, there are a number of medications which can be used to decrease the pain. Your father may have to try several or try them in combination before a combination is found to work. There are some side effects of some of these medications so it is important to formulate a treatment plan with his physician.

If there is lack of interest or expertise, you might try another opinion to address the issue. We have also found it useful to consult a physician specializing in pain management in some of our patients with intractable pain. This often helps the patient and the managing physician.

JTL

[Editor’s comment: Also, see Diabetes and Foot Pain (at the Diabetes Monitor) for some additional thoughts about the management of painful diabetic neuropathy.

WWQ]