Neuropathy is a condition involving damage to the peripheral nerves—the network of nerves that transmits information between your central nervous system and the rest of your body. When compromised, they send faulty signals, causing sensations like pain, numbness, or tingling in your feet. This nerve damage greatly affects your daily life, making it difficult to walk, exercise, or even sleep comfortably. For many people, neuropathy symptoms worsen over time without proper treatment, potentially leading to balance problems, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of falls and injuries.
Early intervention is key to managing neuropathy effectively. At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, our podiatrists are trained to recognize the signs of neuropathy and develop individualized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and symptoms.
Recognizing Neuropathy Symptoms
Foot neuropathy typically presents a range of symptoms that vary in intensity and pattern. Being aware of these signs can help you seek treatment before the condition worsens:
- Numbness or reduced sensation. You might not feel temperature changes, pain, or even injuries to your feet, increasing your risk of wounds and infections.
- Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations. Many patients describe feeling like their feet are "falling asleep" persistently or intermittently.
- Burning pain. This is often described as sharp or shooting pain that may be worse at night or after long periods of standing or walking.
- Increased sensitivity. Some people experience heightened sensitivity when even light touch or the weight of bedsheets cause discomfort.
- Balance problems. When you can't properly feel your feet, maintaining balance becomes more difficult, potentially leading to falls.
- Physical differences. Neuropathy can also affect the muscles of your feet, potentially causing changes in their shape or appearance over time.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms—especially if you have diabetes or other risk factors for neuropathy—it's crucial to consult with our Caldwell and Meridian foot specialists right away.
The Critical Connection Between Diabetes and Neuropathy
Neuropathy doesn't simply appear without reason—it develops when specific factors impact the delicate nerve network. So the crucial first step toward effective treatment is for our care team to work with you to understand what's causing the problem.
One primary catalyst for neuropathy is diabetes. High blood sugar levels impair nerves throughout your body, but usually affect feet and legs first. Approximately 60% of people with diabetes develop some form of neuropathy, making diligent diabetic foot care essential for prevention and management.
Diabetic neuropathy typically develops gradually over years and leads to significant complications if left untreated. The combination of reduced sensation and poor circulation makes it more challenging to notice even the smallest injuries before they develop into serious infections. This dangerous pairing explains why foot ulcers and infections are common in diabetic patients with neuropathy—you simply may not feel when you've injured your foot. By the time visible signs appear, the damage may be extensive.
The experienced podiatrists at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle strongly emphasize preventive care for our Caldwell and Meridian patients with diabetes, including regular foot examinations, proper footwear recommendations, and education on daily foot inspection routines. We also partner with your primary care physician or endocrinologist to ensure comprehensive management of your diabetes-related foot health.
Other Common Causes of Foot Neuropathy
Aside from diabetes, here are some other conditions many of our patients experience:
- Autoimmune disorders. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can cause the immune system to attack nerve tissues, resulting in neuropathy symptoms.
- Trauma. Accidents, falls, surgical procedures, and sports injuries often harm peripheral nerves, leading to localized neuropathy in the affected area.
- Vitamin deficiencies. Inadequate levels of B vitamins, especially B12, can impair nerve function and contribute to neuropathy development.
- Alcoholism. Excessive alcohol consumption results in nutritional deficiencies and direct toxic effects on nerve tissue, causing alcoholic neuropathy.
- Medication side effects. Certain medications, particularly some chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics, may damage peripheral nerves as a side effect of treatment.
Identifying the underlying cause of your neuropathy is crucial for proper treatment. At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, our goal is to conduct thorough evaluations to determine what's causing your nerve problem and how best to address it.
Advanced Neuropathy Treatment Approach at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle
At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, we offer a range of solutions to address neuropathy and its symptoms. Our podiatrists develop personalized treatment plans based on the root cause, severity, and specific symptoms of your condition. Here are some options we might suggest.
Medication Management
We may prescribe anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or topical treatments specifically formulated for neuropathic pain. These medications work by interrupting the pain signals sent from damaged nerves or by modifying how your brain perceives these signals.
Physical Therapy
Specialized exercises help maintain muscle strength, improve balance, and potentially reduce pain associated with neuropathy. Our protocol may also incorporate manual therapies to improve circulation and reduce tension in affected areas, or refer you to another therapist.
Custom Orthotics
Our foot doctors can design custom shoe inserts that redistribute pressure on your feet, reducing pain, helping prevent diabetic foot ulcers, and improving mobility. Because these personalized medical devices are created specifically for your needs, they’re far more effective than generic off-the-shelf insoles for providing cushioning for sensitive areas and support for proper foot alignment.
Nutritional Guidance
For neuropathy related to vitamin deficiencies or diabetes, dietary recommendations and supplements might also be a component of your treatment plan. Our team works with you to develop eating strategies that support nerve health and overall wellness.
Nerve Stimulation Therapies
Advanced treatments such as electrical nerve stimulation can help block pain signals and potentially improve nerve function over time. We offer both in-office treatments and home units that deliver gentle electrical currents to painful areas, providing relief for many patients with chronic neuropathic pain.
Laser Therapy
Our state-of-the-art Multiwave Locked System laser therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and stimulate cellular repair in damaged nerve tissues. This non-invasive therapy has shown promising results for many neuropathy patients.
Regenerative Medicine Options
For suitable candidates, we might recommend innovative treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy, which uses components from your own blood to potentially promote healing and nerve regeneration.
Surgical Intervention
In cases where neuropathy is caused by compressed nerves, surgical decompression may provide relief. Our foot and ankle surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
Preventing Neuropathy Complications With Proper Foot Care
At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, we want to be your partners in whole-person health. We encourage you to be proactive and treat your feet well with the following preventative measures:
- Daily foot inspections. Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, or nail problems. Use a mirror if necessary to see all parts of your feet.
- Proper footwear. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes that fit well and don't rub or create pressure points. If you’re managing diabetes, we’re happy to make footwear recommendations to help you avoid complications.
- Regular professional foot exams. Visit our foot specialists in Caldwell and Meridian at least annually—more frequently if you have diabetes—for thorough examinations.
- Good foot hygiene. To prevent fungal infections, keep your feet clean and dry, particularly between the toes.
- Blood sugar management. Maintaining target blood glucose levels is one of the most effective ways to prevent neuropathy progression in people with diabetes.
- Prompt treatment of injuries. Even minor cuts or blisters should be treated immediately to prevent infection, especially if you have reduced sensation.
Get Relief From Neuropathy Today With Help From Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle
Don't let neuropathy pain or numbness limit your life any longer. We specialize in diagnosing and treating all forms of foot neuropathy, with particular expertise in diabetic foot care.
With early intervention and proper management, many of our patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life. The sooner you seek treatment for neuropathy symptoms, the better your chances of preventing permanent nerve damage and managing your symptoms effectively. Contact our Caldwell or Meridian offices today.