Understanding Neuropathy: How a Podiatrist Can Help Manage Your Foot Pain

Neuropathy is a medical term that describes nerve damage. As a condition that impacts various body parts, especially the feet, neuropathy can be painful and debilitating. According to Dr. Todd Mann and Dr. Kyle Gleeson of AHP Foot & Wound Care Specialists, offering podiatric services from their Indianapolis, Indiana office, this condition can result in symptoms like tingling, a burning sensation, numbness, or sharp pain.

Understanding the Cause of Neuropathy

Neuropathy occurs when nerve damage causes the transmission of abnormal signals between the nerves and the brain. As a medical condition, neuropathy often causes sensitivity to touch and abnormal pain responses. It can happen for several reasons, including diabetes, an infection, an injury, or autoimmune disorders.

How a Podiatrist Can Help Manage Your Foot Pain?

Podiatrists are trained to evaluate one’s medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle choices to help determine neuropathy’s underlying cause and create a plan to treat the cause to help manage symptoms and prevent them from worsening in the future. Early intervention is the best way to slow progression, manage pain, and avoid potential complications.

Managing Neuropathy Symptoms

Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and topical ointments and creams can make patients more comfortable. Podiatrists offer techniques to improve circulation, which also reduces painful neuropathic symptoms. Other options include massage and laser therapy to stimulate blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing. Additionally, podiatrists may provide -

• Nerve stimulation techniques, such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), disrupt pain signals and offer pain relief.
• Proper support using custom orthotics (or specialized shoes) can reduce nerve pressure and pain.  
• Physical therapy can add exercises that improve circulation and reduce pain.

In more severe circumstances, more advanced treatments are available.

• Nerve blocks and corticosteroid injections offer pain relief.  
• Surgery may be a viable alternative to help repair damaged nerves or release nerve pressure.

Preventing Complications

Neuropathy can reduce one’s capacity to feel pain, which increases one’s risk of foot injuries or infections. As such, it is critical a) to continue routine check-ups to identify minor issues before they become more serious and b) to learn how to inspect your feet daily.

Contact a Podiatry Office Serving the Indianapolis Area

If you have symptoms of neuropathy in your feet, especially if you have diabetes or any condition that affects nerve health, seeing a podiatrist can be crucial. Contact Dr. Mann, Dr. Gleeson, or a staff member of AHP Foot & Wound Care Specialists professionals at (317) 218-4095 or online for more information about podiatric solutions for neuropathy.