Don’t Ignore Neuropathy Foot Pain When Our Vancouver Podiatrists Can Provide Quality Care to Minimize Symptoms
Are you experiencing a tingling sensation or a burning pain that shoots through your feet? Or maybe you’ve lost feeling in your feet and legs. These are common symptoms of neuropathy. Although this condition can’t be reversed, it can be managed effectively to relieve symptoms and prevent further damage.
At Clover Podiatry, we understand the challenges of neuropathy, and we're ready to help you find relief and improve your quality of life. Led by our skilled and compassionate Vancouver podiatrists, our entire medical team is committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care that takes into consideration your overall well-being.
How Neuropathy Affects Your Feet
Neuropathy is a condition characterized by nerve damage that disrupts normal signal transmission between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the body. This disorder affects various areas of the body, but when it impacts the peripheral nerves—those outside the brain and spinal cord—it frequently targets the legs and feet.
Peripheral neuropathy, the most common form of neuropathy, causes a range of uncomfortable and even painful sensations, including:
- Tingling or prickling often described as "pins and needles"
- Numbness
- Shooting, burning, or throbbing pain
- Sensitivity to touch
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- A feeling you’re wearing shoes and socks when you’re not
Causes and Risk Factors for Peripheral Neuropathy
Understanding the causes and risk factors for peripheral neuropathy is crucial for effective management. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Diabetes. Prolonged high blood sugar levels due to diabetes hardens blood vessels and damages nerves. Some estimates project that as many as 50 percent of people with diabetes also have some form of neuropathy.
- Trauma. Injuries from accidents, falls, or surgeries might damage peripheral nerves.
- Infections. Certain infections, such as Lyme disease, shingles, and HIV/AIDS, can lead to neuropathy.
- Autoimmune disorders. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus cause your immune system to mistakenly attack nerves.
- Toxins. Exposure to harmful substances, including heavy metals and chemotherapy drugs, can result in nerve damage.
- Vitamin deficiencies. A lack of essential vitamins, particularly B vitamins, is another common cause of neuropathy.
- Chronic alcoholism. Prolonged alcohol misuse can lead to nutritional deficiencies and nerve damage.
Risk Factors for Peripheral Neuropathy
Although anyone can develop neuropathy, there are certain factors that heighten your risk. At Clover Podiatry, many of our patients experience it because of:
- Age. Some studies suggest that as we get older, inflammation increases and so does the potential to develop neuropathy.
- Genetics. A family history of neuropathy can make you more susceptible.
- Chronic disease. In addition to the conditions mentioned above, people who have kidney disease and liver disorders might also struggle with neuropathy.
- Lifestyle factors. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and exposure to toxins can elevate your risk, too.
- Medications. Some medications, particularly those used in chemotherapy for cancer treatment, can temporarily cause neuropathy for up to two years.
How Our Vancouver Foot Doctors Diagnose and Treat Neuropathy
At Clover Podiatry, we believe in a whole-person approach to get to the root cause of your neuropathy. So when you schedule an examination with us, we’ll start by reviewing your medical history, including any symptoms, existing medical conditions, and medications. In addition, we might also do the following to aid in the diagnosis:
- Conduct a thorough physical exam to assess your muscle strength, reflexes, and sensitivity to touch.
- Perform tests such as nerve conduction studies and electromyography to measure nerve function and detect abnormalities.
- Assess blood tests to identify underlying conditions like diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or infections that may be causing neuropathy.
- In some cases, our medical team might also need to perform imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to rule out other conditions.
Neuropathy Treatment Options
Our skilled medical team relies on a comprehensive approach to your care, often using a combination of the following methods:
- Medications. Pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, and antidepressants can help manage pain and discomfort.
- Physical therapy. We’ll also suggest specific exercises to help you improve muscle strength, coordination, and overall mobility.
- Lifestyle modifications. Adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding alcohol can significantly impact neuropathy symptom management.
- Foot care. Proper foot care is essential to prevent injuries and infections. Regular check-ups with one of our dedicated podiatrists ensure early detection and treatment of any issues and ongoing follow-up recommendations.
- Orthotic devices. Custom orthotics and supportive footwear help alleviate pressure on affected nerves and improve comfort.
- Surgical options. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to relieve nerve compression or repair damaged nerves.
Complications of Neuropathy
Proper management of peripheral neuropathy is crucial to prevent serious complications, especially if you’re already managing a chronic underlying condition like diabetes. One of the significant risks of neuropathy is losing sensation in your feet, making it challenging to detect injuries, maintain independent mobility, and enjoy the quality of life you deserve. In addition, seemingly minor issues can escalate into severe problems, potentially leading to infections, gangrene, or even amputation.