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How Do I Know If I Have Serious Nerve Damage?

How Do I Know If I Have Serious Nerve Damage?

By Southwest Foot Institute

February 07, 2017

Category: Foot Care

Tags: nerve damage

Does it sometimes feel as if you're walking on a pin cushion? That pins-and-needles sensation may be a symptom of nerve damage, also known as peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Michael Dershowitz and Dr. Nathan Plaskey, your Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, podiatrists, discuss peripheral neuropathy and share common nerve damage signs and symptoms.

Who gets peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves in your hands or feet become damaged. The condition is particularly common in people who have diabetes. In fact, approximately half of the people who have diabetes have peripheral neuropathy, according to the American Diabetes Association. Other possible causes include:

Injuries
Side effects of cancer drugs and other medications
Exposure to toxins and poisons
A family history of neuropathy
Autoimmune diseases
Infections, such as HIV, Lyme disease and shingles
Aging
Alcoholism

What are the signs of nerve damage?

If you have nerve damage in your feet, you may experience:

Pain: Many people who have neuropathy report burning, shooting or stabbing pains in their feet that worsen at night.
Numbness and tingling: A pins-and-needles sensation is one of the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Eventually, your feet may become numb and you may no longer be able to feel them when you stand or walk. When your feet are numb, you tell if you have sores or blisters. Unfortunately, if you don't notice them and treat sores, they can become infected.
Sensitivity problems: Your feet may feel hot or cold if you experience nerve damage. In some cases, the nerves can become so sensitive that even wearing socks can be painful.
Difficulty walking: Nerve damage can also cause weakness in the muscles of your feet and legs, which can make walking difficult. The problem can also affect your balance.
Other problems: Itching, cramps, dry skin and swelling in the feet or ankles can also accompany nerve damage.

How can my Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix podiatrist help me?

Although it's not possible to reverse nerve damage, your podiatrist that can offer medications that treat pain, including prescription lidocaine patches and anti-seizure medications. Anti-seizure medication relieves nerve pain by altering spinal cord and brain processes involved in the transmission of pain signals. Laser therapy is very effective for neuropathy and it is painless and noninvasive. Surgical decompression of nerves is also possible in the most resistant of cases.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation treatment is another option. A low-voltage electrical current applied to your feet during the treatment reduces pain by blocking pain signals. If your condition is related to diabetes, getting your blood glucose level under control is an important step in preventing further damage.

Prompt treatment of peripheral neuropathy will help prevent your condition from worsening. If you have any of these symptoms, call Dr. Dershowitz and Dr. Plaskey, your Scottsdale, Glendale and Phoenix, AZ, podiatrists, at (602) 340-8686 to schedule an appointment.

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