Do you feel a sharp, burning pain in your foot, tingling or numbness between your toes, or a fiery pain in the ball of the foot?

These and other symptoms may result from nerve pain or damage. Nerve irritation can be a result of various conditions with the foot and ankle, including: 

1- Neuroma (Morton’s Neuroma): This painful growth of nerve tissue in the foot, most commonly between the third and fourth toes bones, forms when bones of the feet press together and irritate a nerve. A neuroma is a benign but swollen enlargement of a branch of the nerve that runs across the bottom of the foot and out to the toes. Pain can worsen over time, making it difficult to walk or participate in daily activities you enjoy. A neuroma can happen at any age and is diagnosed with an exam, X-ray, or MRI.

2- Neuropathy: When nerves in the feet or ankles are damaged, it results in numbness, tingling, and pain. Neuropathy can be caused that can be caused by diabetes, alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, and other conditions. Healthmark Foot & Ankle Associate, a diabetes care center of excellence, is well-versed in this condition and treatment. 

3- Gout: Symptoms of gout include severe pain, redness, and swelling in joints, often the big toe. Attacks can come suddenly, often at night. This condition, a type of arthritis, occurs when too much uric acid crystallizes and deposits in the joints. Gout can be triggered by foods and drinks that are purine-rich, such as red meats and alcohol, sweets, and other processed foods. Often, over-indulgence can be a culprit. 

4- Pinched Nerves: When nerves in the foot or ankle are compressed or pinched, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling. This can happen due to tight shoes, injuries, or conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome.

5- Radiculopathy: Radiating pain from your back. Injury or damage to nerve roots in the lumbar area where they leave the spine, typically the L4 or L5. This condition can affect anyone and can be the result of disc degeneration, disc herniation, or other trauma.

With nerve pain, you may not have back or leg symptoms or sciatica pain but a burning left big toe, sharp, burning pain in your foot, tingling or numbness between your toes, or a fiery pain in the ball of the foot.  X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, or EMG may be ordered to diagnose and treat nerve pain. 

Nerve Pain treatment may vary depending on the underlying cause or condition. Treatment may include:

  • Nerve PainIce
  • Change of Shoes for support and cushion
  • Custom Orthotics with special modifications
  • Physical Therapy
  • Surgery

The goal of treatment is always to identify the root cause of the nerve pain, and your Healthmark podiatrist can then prescribe the correct treatment for your symptoms and needs.

Are you looking for a nerve pain specialist in Philadelphia?

If you are looking for nerve pain care in Philadelphia, PA? Contact an experienced Healthmark Foot and Ankle Associate podiatrist today.