What Could Be Causing Nerve Pain in My Feet?

Of all the many different conditions and ailments that can cause pain in the feet and lower legs, nerve damage is often among the most frustrating, and even frightening, for patients.

Because nerves are responsible for relaying communication between your body and your brain, damaged nerves can produce a range of “phantom” symptoms, from tingling and numbness to shooting, burning, shocking, or cramping pain—even when there is no obvious injury or external problem.

Furthermore, treatment tends to be a little more complicated than your standard muscle strain or swollen tendon, and nerve damage is more difficult to reverse. And sensation loss to nerve damage is one of the leading causes of non-traumatic amputations in America—in short, you can develop an infected wound and not realize it until it’s too far gone to salvage.

Obviously, getting to the bottom of your nerve pain quickly, and engaging the correct treatment, is of critical importance. The most common causes of nerve pain include:

• Diabetes. This is by far the largest single cause of nerve damage in feet and legs. Too much sugar in the bloodstream can be poisonous for nerves.
• Nerves have to run through “tunnels” between and around bones and joints. They may be pinched or compressed at these choke points as the result of an injury, repetitive motions, or even masses of tissue (such as a neuroma) that press on a nerve.
• Nutritional deficiencies. Excessive alcohol abuse or deficiencies of key vitamins (particularly B-complex vitamins) can deprive nerves of the nutrition they need.
• Drug side effects. In particular, some medications used to treat HIV or cancer can cause nerve damage.
• Other medical conditions. Besides diabetes, a range of other medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, motor neuron diseases, and infections, can damage nerves.

If you’re experiencing unexplained nerve pain in your feet, don’t delay—set up an appointment with Dr. Truong as soon as possible. Treatments we provide to help you manage nerve pain and, ideally, restore lost function may include strategies such as medical supplements, orthotics, MLS laser therapy, or surgery. However, a correct diagnosis and identification of the underlying problems will help us formulate the best short and long term treatment plan. To schedule your appointment with us in Wichita, KS, please call (866) 222-5177.