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Live Beyond the Norms

Live Beyond the Norms

What If Some Diabetic Nerve Damage Isn’t Irreversible? | Dr. Stephen Barrett

Oct 6, 2026 · 1h 6m

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Every 20 seconds somewhere in the world, a person with diabetes loses a limb to amputation. For many, the path to that point begins with diabetic neuropathy. Sensation in the feet fades, so injuries can go unnoticed long enough to become ulcers. Some of that lost sensation may not be as irreversible as patients are often told. Podiatric and peripheral nerve surgeon Dr. Stephen Barrett argues that diabetes can cause nerves to swell and become compressed. He believes that relieving the pressure can restore sensation and function in some patients. Dr. Stephen and I talk about how this happens and what nerve decompression could mean for people with diabetes. We also get into the patient whose…