Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that primarily affects the nerves of the body by making you feel abnormal sensations or fail to feel sensations that you should be feeling. This condition can affect nerves throughout the body, but it can also affect the feet, which can be particularly uncomfortable. The nerve damage in the feet can make you feel a variety of symptoms. These symptoms might include a feeling of numbness in the feet, a “pins and needles” feeling, periodic shooting pains, and difficulty balancing on your feet, among many other things. Importantly, if you have neuropathy in your feet, it can be a good idea to take extra precautions for your feet. For example, check them regularly to ensure that they have not gotten an injury that you did not notice or feel. Also, you might consider being extra diligent about keeping them warm and well-covered during colder winter months, as neuropathy can interfere with the feet’s sensitivity to cold weather. If you or a loved one suffer from neuropathy in the feet, contact a podiatrist.
Neuropathy
Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrist from North Texas Podiatry Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.
What Is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.
Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:
- Numbness
- Sensation loss
- Prickling and tingling sensations
- Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
- Muscle weakness
Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.
Treatment
To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.
Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Euless and Southlake, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
