What does foot
neuropathy means?
Foot neuropathy in simpler terms describes a painful
condition of foot arising primarily due to relative damage of the sensory and
motor nerves of the foot. These nerves form a pathway between peripheral areas
and spinal cord. Misfiring or disruption of signals anywhere between this
affects the functions of the foot. An altogether different branch of science
has evolved with thorough professionals who only deal with pain relief for
patients suffering from foot neuropathy.
Common causative
factors
- Post hip surgery or spinal surgery.
- Disc bulges at L-4, L-5 levels leading to sciatic nerve compression.
- Trauma to the knee or hip by external sources.
- Alcohol intake.
- Overweight, leading to nerve compression by fatty tissues.
- Diabetic for long time
- Herpes zoster infection causing nerve claudications.
- Radiation therapy in cancer patients.
Clinical features of
foot neuropathy
There is a visible loss of motor functions of foot and the
patient becomes highly sensitive to temperature and pain. In extreme cases the
sensation may be completely lost.
Sometimes the foot may simply drop down as the calf muscles overpower
the weak shin muscles. The ankle jerks
and knee jerks are often found reduced and there could be muscle contractions
which are beyond patient’s control.
Persistent pins and needles kind of sensation is experienced
by the patient and the foot may get numb. Along with these, skin and nail color
changes have been noticed many a times. Balance problems may be there when eyes
are closed due to lack of co ordination between brain and peripheral nervous
system.
What is the
underlying mechanism producing foot neuropathy?
The predominant mechanism for foot neuropathy revolves
largely around the presence of oxygen in the nerves. This is made sure by maintenance
of a healthy blood circulation and nutrition under normal circumstances. Under
any other diseased condition, the nervous system suffers a potential breakdown.
The nerve may get entrapped in the fatty tissues of an obese individual or
delay its own healing mechanism in the presence of excess blood sugar as in
diabetes. The nerve is also exposed to chemical irritants and hence
malfunctions when the patient is on chemotherapy. The commonest of mechanism is
compression neuropathy when the nerve is compressed by a prolapsed
intervertebral disc when nerve loses its properties of effective signaling and heals
only after the nutritional values are restored by various treatments.
Managing the foot
neuropathy
One may visit a neurologist for a long lasting foot neuropathic pain relief. The physician may not only treat the foot as a whole
but will also reach for the elimination of the root cause. The management
begins analgesics and some nerve vitamins.
This attenuates the pain to a certain extent while nerve starts to
regenerate. Anti-depressants and sedatives have proven
their efficacy in relaxing the patient mentally and they take charge of
patient’s emotional disturbances.
Physical therapy is beneficial to channelize the blocked
nerve endings once again. Faradic foot bath restores functioning of the muscles
and hot water soaks provide circulatory improvement to the soft tissues.
