How Neuropathy affects Your Feet

Neuropathy is a condition that may develop as a result of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy patients may experience tingling or burning sensations, extreme sensitivity, or even numbness in the feet. It may also lead to an inability to feel pain, preventing the person from noticing any cuts or wounds.

If you have been noticing any of the above signs, it is advisable to keep your blood pressure under check, quit smoking and lose extra weight. To prevent this condition from getting worse, it is important to visit your foot doctor regularly since feet are one of the worst body parts affected by neuropathy.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is a condition that causes nerve damage in the body. Peripheral neuropathy affects the peripheral nervous system, usually the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by different conditions, such as diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of neuropathy –

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Diabetes patients are at a higher risk since they suffer from poor blood circulation which makes them unable to feel a cut, wound or ulcer on their feet. This can lead to ulcers and worsening of the infections, even lading to a situation where the limb has to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat peripheral neuropathy of the foot, your podiatrist will first diagnose the underlying cause of neuropathy. Once the underlying cause of neuropathy is diagnosed, the podiatrist will create a customized treatment plan for you. Unless there is excessive nerve damage, it’s possible that sensation to the foot may be restored.

Pain medication may be prescribed to relieve pain. Electrical nerve stimulation may be recommended to stimulate nerves. If the nerves are under too much pressure, surgery may be advised. A minimally invasive surgery may be performed to correct a bunion or hammertoe before an ulcer is formed.

Custom foot orthotics may be prescribed to provide support to the foot.

There are special socks and shoes available for people suffering from diabetes. But you must ask your foot doctor for advice before you start using any of these.

At a regular screening, your foot doctor would check for the following conditions, among others –

• Ingrown or fungal toenails
• Numbness or tingling in the feet and toes
• Pain anywhere in the legs
• Changes of color in the skin
• Dry cracks in the skin
• Open and slow-healing sores
• Swollen feet or ankles
• Bleeding corns and calluses

To learn more or if you are looking for the best podiatrist in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, call Oasis Foot and Ankle Clinic at 602-993-2700 Now. Oasis Foot and Ankle Centers offer cutting edge surgical and nonsurgical treatments for foot and ankle conditions and injuries.

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oasisfootankle Joined: June 25th, 2018