Watch on YouTube - Watch on Rumble - Watch on Vimeo

Dr. Anderson has been in practice for over 40 years and for over 20 of those years has been treating patients with nerve conditions in the lower extremity. Dr. Anderson's primary practice is in Fort Collins, Colorado. He is a founding member of the Association of Extremity Nerves Surgeons and one of its past presidents. He has had the honor of receiving the Jules Tinel's for his research on peripheral nerve conditions in the lower extremity. This is an award given to those who have demonstrated scientific contribution to the advancement of the treatment of lower extremity nerve disorders. He has published numerous papers but the following are what he considers to be the most relevant, groundbreaking studies.

Summary

• Restless leg syndrome treatment with nerve decompression surgery. 0:00
  • Dr. James Anderson discusses lower extremity peripheral nerve and chronic pain specialization.
  • Dr. Anderson published a paper on nerve decompression surgery for restless leg syndrome in 2017.
  • The study analyzed the outcomes of 25 patients who underwent nerve decompression surgery for the condition.
• Decompression surgery for nerve damage and Restless Leg Syndrome. 3:58
  • Dr. Anderson credits his colleague for introducing nerve decompression surgery, leading to passion for profession.
  • Dr. Barrett describes treating restless leg syndrome with nerve decompression surgery.
• Restless leg syndrome diagnosis and treatment options. 7:46
  • Dr. Anderson shares experience with Restless Leg Syndrome patients, noting improvement in sleep quality after decompression surgery.
  • Dr. Anderson agrees, highlighting patient feedback as key to understanding peripheral nerve entrapment's role in Restless Leg Syndrome.
  • Speakers discuss differences between primary and secondary Restless Leg Syndrome.
  • Speakers discuss the use of diagnostic block techniques, including the Phoenix sign, to diagnose restless leg syndrome.
  • They discuss the importance of evaluating for nerve and trauma, and how it can impact diagnosis and treatment.
• Restless leg syndrome diagnosis and treatment options. 14:57
  • Dr. Anderson describes symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS), including creepy crawly, jerking, twitching, and nervousness.
  • Dr. Barrett mentions that spouses can help in diagnosis by observing their partner's leg movements during sleep.
  • Dr. Anderson: Lack of sleep/sleep deprivation increases anxiety, depression, and other symptoms.
  • Dr. Anderson: Restless leg syndrome patients who are more active during the day may experience worse symptoms at night.
  • Dr. Anderson notes higher female-to-male ratio for Restless Leg Syndrome, with dopamine agonists and iron supplements as common treatments.
• Neuropathy treatment and surgery effects on bilateral vs unilateral symptoms. 22:26
  • Dr. Anderson: Many patients are resistant to taking Gabapentin or Lyrica due to side effects.
  • Dr. Anderson: Approximately 80% of patients are already taking pharmacological agents for neuropathy, while 20% are resistant to treatment.
  • 70% of patients can reduce or eliminate pharmaceuticals after decompression, with 30% maintaining lower doses.
  • Dr. Anderson notes high incidence of nerve damage after joint replacement surgery.
• Nerve damage and restless leg syndrome diagnosis, with a focus on interoperative nerve monitoring. 29:38
  • Dr. Anderson discusses the results of a study on nerve damage and weakness in patients, with 42 patients evaluated over a 2-year period.
  • Dr. Barrett questions Dr. Anderson on the differences in neurogenesis (nerve growth) between patients with and without nerve damage, using a retrospective population from 2015 to 2017.
  • Dr. Anderson discusses the importance of differentiating between tibial and common fibular nerve compression in lower extremity pain management.
  • Dr. Barrett highlights the anatomical differences between the tibial and common fibular nerves, with the tibial nerve being more robust and having more vascularity.
  • Dr. Anderson proposes a vascular component to the condition, involving compression of leg compartments due to arterial blood flow and venous return.
  • Dr. Anderson suggests a study to investigate the idea further, using interpretive neural monitoring and other methods.
  • Physicians use nerve monitoring to measure changes in muscle function during decompression surgery.
• Nerve decompression surgery for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 39:37
  • Dr. Barrett disputes claim that nerve decompression surgery doesn't work for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
  • Dr. Anderson explains the surgery process, including one leg at a time and elevation instructions.
  • Dr. Anderson provides insights on how long patients need to be away from work or engage in strenuous activities.
  • Dr. Anderson discusses the importance of balancing nerve decompression surgery with blood flow and arterial/venous considerations.
  • Dr. Anderson mentions his book "The Perfect Night's Sleep," available on Amazon.