Nerve pain that won't quit. And nerve pills are not the only answer.
If gabapentin, Lyrica, or nerve blocks haven't given you your feet back, there's more to look at before surgery.
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- Tennessee Titans team physician
- USA Basketball team physician
- Previously, Boston Celtics
- Sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon
- Greater Nashville
The burning, the tingling, the numbness. Worse at night. You've been told it's neuropathy, here's a prescription, learn to live with it. For a lot of patients, that's where the conversation ends.
I see this trap constantly. Most of the people who come to me have already tried the standard playbook. Gabapentin or Lyrica. Maybe a nerve block. Supplements. The infrared boots from the late-night ad. Some relief, sometimes. Not enough.
Your nerves need a different stimulus. Not just a different prescription.
The approach
Most of the patients who walk into my office have already been told the same thing. Pills first. Then shots. Then surgery.
Surgery is not the only option.
I still operate, and I still take patients to the OR when the joint needs it. But for many of the people who come to me, the OR isn't the right first step. There's a body of advanced non-surgical orthopedic care worth trying before we get there. Care meant to help the joint heal, calm the pain, and get you back to what you want to do.
It's not magic. It's physiology.
For some patients it works. For some it doesn't. When it doesn't, we move to the next option, surgery included, if that's what you need. No promises and no miracle language. A clear read, a clear plan, and the step you're a candidate for next.
Why Dr. Kellum
A surgeon who'll tell you when not to operate.
- Sports medicine fellowship-trained. New England Baptist. Boston Children's.
- Team physician for the Tennessee Titans and USA Basketball. Previously the Boston Celtics.
- AOA member. Peer-reviewed.
- Still operates. Doesn't recommend it first.
What patients say
Treated as if I was his only patient.
The care given by the nursing staff is amazing. And Dr. Kellum is one of the best physicians I've had the pleasure of knowing. There is no rushing through the appointment. Treated as if I was his only patient. Also, phones are answered promptly and efficiently and again not rushed. The care that is given is superb.Donna M.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dr. Kellum located?
Greater Nashville.
Do I need imaging before my consultation?
Not required to request. If you have X-rays or MRI on file, plan to bring them or have them sent. If not, we'll guide you through it.
What kind of patients do you treat?
Patients who've been told the OR is next. Patients who've tried PT or cortisone with limited relief. Patients looking for a second opinion before the OR.
Does insurance cover this?
Most non-surgical care is cash-pay. We'll be straight with you about cost on the qualification call. CareCredit financing is available if you want it.
What happens at the consultation?
Review of your imaging, history, and goals. Honest read on what you're a candidate for. Clear next step.
I've tried gabapentin, Cymbalta, the standard prescriptions. Can you still help?
Yes. Most of my neuropathy patients come in after gabapentin or Cymbalta hasn't done it. We'll talk through what you've tried and what a different approach looks like.
I have diabetic neuropathy. Are you treating that, or only injury-related neuropathy?
Both. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common reasons patients come in. Underlying disease management stays with your primary or endocrinologist.
I've been told I might need decompression surgery. Should I still come in?
Yes. A lot of my patients come in looking for a read on whether the OR is actually the right next step, or whether there's something to try before that.
Do I need a nerve conduction study before I come in?
Helpful but not required. If you have one, bring it. If not, we'll handle it from the consultation.
Is this for foot and leg neuropathy, hand neuropathy, or both?
All of the above. The approach changes depending on where the nerve damage is and what's driving it.