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Most cases of neuropathy in feet start with a tingling or burning sensation, pain or numbness. Nerve damage in your legs and feet is a form of peripheral neuropathy, and may develop slowly. The peripheral nervous system encompasses all the nerves in your body that are outside the brain and spinal cord. There are many nerves in your legs and feet, and neuropathy may affect a single nerve or a group of nerves.
Neuropathy in the legs and feet can be very painful and even disabling. The latest treatments include spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). These modalities modernized the treatment of neuropathy and nerve damage.
When nerves have been damaged, visit a knowledgeable and experienced neurologist for treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet. In New York City and New Jersey, the best doctor for neuropathy in feet and other types of nerve pain is Dr. Mark Cohen or Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin at Neuro Injury Specialists.
Neuropathy in feet and legs has many possible causes. Diabetic neuropathy that’s caused by uncontrolled type 2 diabetes is the most common form of peripheral neuropathy that affects the feet and legs.
Other causes include:
Repetitive motions that are required for some jobs can be damaging to nerves. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6 and B12 can damage nerves and cause neuropathy in feet and legs. When the cause of neuropathy can’t be identified, it’s call idiopathic peripheral neuropathy.
Nerve connections from the feet to the brain are needed to allow the legs, feet and other parts of your lower body to move and function correctly.
When nerves in the feet and legs are damaged, you may experience symptoms such as:
As nerves deteriorate, your legs or feet may become weak, which can lead to loss of coordination. This can cause you to easily losing your balance and fall. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy resemble other conditions, which is why you want to have a specialized doctor for neuropathy in feet. To find out if you have peripheral neuropathy, your NYC neurologist may run diagnostic tests such as an electromyography or nerve conduction studies.
In most cases, peripheral neuropathy can’t be cured. Treatment for neuropathy in feet and legs aims to relieve discomfort and prevent your symptoms from worsening. If your neuropathy is caused by an underlying condition such as diabetes, your doctor works with you to bring it under control.
Options for neuropathy feet treatment may include:
Peripheral nerve stimulation is a new treatment for neuropathy in feet. It works like spinal cord stimulation, in which a device known as a neurostimulator is implanted in an outpatient surgical procedure. This device works by sending low-level electrical impulses that block the sensation of pain from reaching the brain. Peripheral nerve stimulators send electrical impulses to peripheral nerves, which are outside the spinal cord.
There are some things you can do that help you prevent neuropathy and other health problems. Healthy lifestyle choices may help you avoid the need for neuropathy foot pain relief.
These include:
If you have health conditions such as diabetes, work closely with your doctor to keep your condition under control. This may help prevent neuropathy or delay its onset. Diabetics should be especially careful to check your feet daily to make sure there are no blisters or sores.
Signs of nerve damage in the feet and legs shouldn’t be ignored. Weakness caused by neuropathy can lead to falls and areas of the feet that lack sensation can have burns or injuries without your awareness. If you’ve been diagnosed with neuropathy and your symptoms suddenly worsen or if you have sores or injuries to your feet, get in touch with your doctor.
If you experience unusual numbness, tingling or pain in your feet, legs or hands, you need an experienced doctor for neuropathy in feet. Contact Neuro Injury Specialists in New York and New Jersey to learn more about treatments for neuropathy in feet, legs, arms or hands.
This team of neurologists also offer exceptional treatments for other neurological conditions, such as: