Nerve Entrapments: More than a feeling

If you stop to think about it, the functions that your feet play on a daily basis are pretty amazing. Along with walking, your feet are able to judge position, perform complex maneuvers, and balance your weight in the first place. In order to complete these actions, your feet and lower legs are equipped with a sophisticated complex of nerves. As you might suspect, when one or more of these nerves become entrapped, you’ll probably feel it!
There are many causes of nerve entrapments. They may be congenital or due to impingements from the surrounding tissues such as scars, cysts, or fatty tumors. Other causes may include fractures, poor casting techniques, or infectious and metabolic processes such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid problems. The symptoms usually include pain at rest which is aggravated by active motion. People will often have an abnormal or unpleasant numbness which feels like a “prickly”, “stinging”, or “burning” sensation. They may also notice an increased sensitivity to normal touch or pain. If the entrapment goes on long enough, eventually the individual may experience muscle wasting and weakness.
Since pinched nerves can easily be confused with other etiologies, it’s a good idea to visit your podiatrist in order to confirm the diagnosis. He or she can rule out other serious problems such as peripheral vascular disease, muscle tendon injuries, or even spinal cord lesions. If it is indeed an entrapped nerve, your podiatrist can identify and localize the nerve, as well as decide on the most appropriate treatment.
Treatments almost always begin conservatively. Sometimes, removing pressure such as shoelaces that are too tight is a simple fix. Patients may also receive standard pain medications or be treated with orthotics, splints, or casts to prevent the aggravating motion. Sometimes, periodic injections with a local anesthetic plus a steroid are utilized. This is usually required less than three times a year. Physical therapy and other modalities are also available. If these treatments prove ineffective, surgery is certainly a viable option depending on your situation. The goal is usually to open up some space, release the surrounding structures, and adjust the nerve’s position.
While trapped nerves can show up in a variety of patterns-with muscular or sensory loss on almost any part of the foot and lower leg- thankfully, there are many treatment options available to address this condition.


Advanced Foot Care
Robert E. Kuvent, DPM
3225 S Alma School Rd
Chandler, AZ 85248
480.917.2300
http://yourfeetfixer.com