Numb, Burning, Tingling Foot Pain

Have you had a numbness, burning, tingling shooting pain at your heel or bottom part of your foot, you could have tarsal tunnel? Do your feet feel better after you massage them? Now, most of you have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome in your wrists. The same syndrome can happen in your feet and cause you the same symptoms, just in your feet.

So, what causes this syndrome? A nerve in your foot, called the tibial nerve, becomes entrapped, or one of its branches. As a result of the nerve becoming entrapped, you will feel these sensations in your foot all common to a nerve that is being irritated. The diagnosis for this condition consists of your description of your pain and showing your podiatrist exactly where the pain is affecting you. There are then some physical exams that can be done that will help confirm the diagnosis so that you can then get the treatment you need.

What is behind the compression/entrapment of your nerve? It could be due to varicose veins (large, twisting, engorged veins) in the area causing compression on your nerve, a space occupying lesion, swelling from a sprained ankle and inflammation. Any of these reasons could cause you to have nerve compression. It is important that we treat both the cause and the result of this condition.

So, what is the treatment? Well, there is a wide array of plans that we can try. These include strengthening and stretching your muscles, steroid and anesthetic injections to numb the area and decrease inflammation, orthotic inserts for your foot to hold them in a way that will take the pressure off your nerve and casting especially if it is resulting from a sprained ankle. If you fail all of the conservative treatment plans, there is the option of surgery. Surgical intervention would include releasing the area and tissues that are entrapping your nerve.

If you have been having numbness, burning, tingling and shooting pain, please seek help from your podiatrist. They can help you to determine what is causing your pain and then treat you. If you live in the Wesford or Dracut, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your calluses. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen 01835.