Neuropathy and Vascular Conditions

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a disease of the nerves in your feet. It may make you unable to sense pain. Lack of pain makes you more likely to injure yourself without knowing it. But you can learn ways to protect your feet from injury.

When Nerves Are Diseased

Nerves in your feet carry signals to your brain. Your brain reads those signals and interprets them as sensations. When nerves in your feet are diseased, signals may never reach the brain. Or, signals may be confused. The result may be a lack of feeling in your feet or other symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Symptoms Mask Pain

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy begin in your toes. The symptoms slowly spread up your feet and legs as more nerve is affected. These symptoms may decrease sensation in your feet or mask pain. Without pain, you may not notice a cut or even a bone fracture. Cuts may become infected. Fractures may heal poorly and lead to foot deformity.

Treating Peripheral Neuropathy

Learn ways to protect your feet. Check your feet daily for wounds you may not have felt. Avoid burns by testing bath water with your elbow before stepping in. Also, to prevent injury, always wear shoes.

Regular Foot Care

If you have foot numbness, you may not notice cutting yourself while trimming your nails. To prevent problems, your doctor may ask you to visit for nail and callus trimming. See your doctor for foot care as often as suggested.

Check Your Feet Daily

Catch problems early by checking your feet every day for changes. Look at the top and bottom of your feet, your heels, and between your toes. It may help to use a mirror. If this is hard, ask someone to check for you. Call your doctor if you notice a wound, ulceration, ingrown nail, or any changes in your feet. This includes increased heat, swelling, and redness.

Wear Proper Footwear

Always wear shoes and socks, even indoors. Ask your doctor how to choose the right shoe. After buying shoes, bring them to your doctor to be checked for fit. Take new shoes off every hour or so to check for red pressure areas on your feet. Each time you put on your shoes, use you fingers to feel inside for foreign objects.

Dr. Craig Thomajan is a podiatrist at Austin foot and Ankle Specialist located in Austin, Texas. If you would like to learn more about a variety of foot and ankle aliments, you may visit him online at Austin Foot and Ankle