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What to Know About Arthritis Foot Care and What You Can Do

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Arthritis is a very common problem in the foot and ankle area and can occur in different locations. Because the foot has so many bones, there are many joints that can become painful. 

arthritis in feet causes, symptoms, and treatment

Symptoms

First, it is important to understand what the symptoms of arthritis are. Symptoms tend to present as a deep, dull type of pain that occurs when you first get up in the morning, Then after you take a few steps, it can gradually get better.  As the arthritis becomes more severe, it can present all the time, particularly when you’re active. Understand that arthritis occurs when the cartilage that lines the joint becomes worn down and thinner. In severe situations it can wear down to bone.  Cartilage is very slick- even slicker than ice! It acts that way to let your joints move more easily.   

Causes

There are a multitude of causes that can result in arthritis. It could be from gout attacks, where inflammation in the joints destroys the cartilage, or even rheumatoid arthritis, where patients have autoimmune diseases that can affect the joints.

There may have even been an injury to the joint or bone that caused the cartilage to be damaged. This is especially common in the ankle joint in the case of someone who is a chronic ankle sprainer or has had an ankle fracture.  All these conditions can be called “secondary arthritis” as they are related to another issue. 

For many that suffer from arthritis, it is commonly referred to as primary arthritis, meaning there is no direct cause. As we age from using our joints, the cartilage tends to wear down

Lastly, the most overlooked cause is foot structure. Very few doctors are trained  to evaluate foot structure and foot biomechanics. Some foot types, particularly flat feet, might lend themselves to wearing down joints more than feet that have a normal biomechanical structure.

 Where does arthritis occur most commonly?

 It occurs most commonly in the great toe joint, ankle and midfoot. In the great toe, it will frequently cause a stiff toe joint, referred to as Hallux Rigidus.  It can also occur in the midfoot area, halfway between the toes and the ankle in the arch area. This is also more common as we get older. Finally, it can occur in the ankle joint, especially if you have had multiple ankle sprains, or if you have any kind of history of ankle fracture- this lends itself to a greater possibility of having ankle arthritis at some point in your life.

Five things you can do

  • Avoid inflammatory foods: Foods high in sugars and carbohydrates should be reduced. Why? Because they create inflammation in your body. Breads, sugar and white flour should be avoided. Also watch out for fructose as this is used in many beverages such as fruit juices and is probably worse than just scarfing down a candy bar. Instead of fruit juice, choose to eat the actual fruit as it’s much healthier for you. This will also help keep your weight down.    
  • Exercise: Yes, that is right, keep moving. Maybe if you used to run and it bothers you too much, consider biking or walking. You may want to take on swimming or other activities. Make sure to modify the frequency and duration because motion helps your body create more growth hormones which can help repair your joints. 
  • Consider supplements: Supplements such as Turmeric, Sam-e , Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen may also be effective and help fight inflammation. 
  • Avoid anti-inflammatories: While they may make you feel good today, the long-term effects are negative for your joint health. An exception to this would be if you have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis that is managed by your doctor. 
  • Use more supportive shoes: If you think you may be an overpronator, meaning you have flat feet, supportive shoes should be considered. You may also want to use an inexpensive over the counter arch supports. 

Treatment

  • Support the foot and ankle: Oftentimes orthotics are recommended as they are custom-made inserts that go in the shoes. They are especially important to help stabilize the bony areas that can lend themselves to arthritis.
  • Repair and restore the joint: At Anderson Podiatry Center, we do this using stemcell treatment. Regenerative medicine is something we have been using now for over a decade and has been extremely useful for ankle joint problems, great toe joint pain, and pain in the midfoot area and the mid arch. It has proven to show improvement 80-90% of the time. 
  • Block your ability to feel the pain: We do this by shutting off pain signals to the brain.   In some cases, especially if the arthritis is in the midfoot or up by the ankle, we can remove one or two branches in the lower leg that block your ability to feel the arthritic pain in your foot or ankle.  This is also especially useful and has prevented many patients from going through ankle replacement surgery or ankle fusion surgeries (which have a significant risk factor and recovery time). 
  • Joint surgery: In the worst-case scenarios, when all else fails, there may be a need for revision of a joint by scoping it in the example of an ankle joint. Or finally a joint replacement or fusion. 

In summary, if you have these problems, it is important to understand that there’s a lot that you can do to repair your condition. And at Anderson Podiatry Center, we can offer non-surgical approaches and low invasive procedures such as stem cell or nerve resection, which may avoid more major joint replacement surgeries. Do not assume that you have to have an ankle joint replacement or other joints fused to treat your arthritis. Consider the options that you can do first, and if you are still struggling and want to get back to full activity, consider our unique approach. 

Three Ways Peripheral Neuropathy Can Affect Your Walking

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peripheral neuropathy affect walking

For many, neuropathy becomes a common and difficult part of their life. It’s been estimated that 25-30% of people in the U.S will experience neuropathy at some point in their life. Peripheral neuropathy refers to the nervous system outside of the spinal cord and brain area. It is the nerves that go down into the foot & leg, or into the arms & hands. The symptoms of Peripheral neuropathy can include burning, tingling, numbness, and oftentimes weakness. It usually affects both feet, but not always – which is why peripheral neuropathy can affect walking. There are many nerve fibers directly underneath the skin called sensory nerves, and when these nerves start to die away it inhibits you from feeling pressure, resulting in not being able to feel your feet on the ground. People may also not be able to feel hot and cold on their feet.

Dibaetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy affects approximately 50-70% of those with diabetes, and when severe can result in ulcers and even amputation.It could start with something as simple as a callous that the patient cannot feel. This then creates an ulcer which can become infected. Oftentimes because there is a lack of feeling, the patient has no pain, and therefore no warning signs. If this results in an amputation, the situation can become life threatening. If you do not have diabetes, it is important to know that many people may be prediabetic, and the first signs can be symptoms of neuropathy in the feet. So if you have never been diagnosed with diabetes, but you’re getting neuropathy symptoms, there’s a chance that you could be pre-diabetic.

There are other types of neuropathy including chemotherapy induced neuropathy and alcoholic neuropathy. Aside from diabetic neuropathy, the most common diagnosis patients are given is idiopathic neuropathy – meaning neuropathy from an unknown cause.

What Are The Benefits Of Walking?

The benefits of walking are both mental and physical. Mentally, exercise has been shown to help people emotionally. Exercise can help increase dopamine levels in the brain (dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is associated with the feel good sensation you have after exercise).It is also thought that exercise can help you sleep better. The importance of sleep has become more apparent as it not only helps you feel better the next day, but can also help with high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes. Walking may also help to keep your weight down, which can have a big impact on controlling your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and even joint arthritis.

So how does peripheral neuropathy affect your walking? To better understand, I’d like to clarify the three ways neuropathy can have an effect on walking.treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet

Number 1 – PAIN

If you are in a lot of pain from the burning and tingling in your feet, maybe you’ll feel uncomfortable to go on a walk. If the pain is mild, you can still go for a walk, but maybe just not as far as you could before. So if your  symptoms are not that painful, that’s even more of a reason to consider walking.

If your pain is manageable while you walk, it’s a good idea to gradually increase the frequency and duration each time you walk. One principle to remember is that your body needs rest days. So rather than walking every day for 25 minutes five or six days per week, it may be better to walk four days for 35-45 minutes. Why? It’s thought that those extra minutes (for example, 35 minutes) tend to rev up your metabolism more for a longer period after the aerobic activity. This leads to more calories burned and better cardiac health. If walking is too painful, consider biking, swimming or pool exercises instead.

Number 2  – NUMBNESS

If your nerves are significantly damaged, you may experience numbness in your feet. This also serves as another factor that suppresses your desire to walk. Why? Because your ability to feel your feet on the ground has been reduced.

When your ability to feel your feet on the ground diminishes, you could feel unstable and possibly walk with a wider gait. In some cases you may even shuffle due to the lack of feeling. This can be a challenge, and it might make you even more susceptible to falling. For this scenario it is best to walk on flat surfaces and avoid walking or hiking on irregular terrain.

Number 3 –  WEAKNESS

Another symptom caused by peripheral neuropathy is weakness. This ranges from mild to severe in the case of drop foot, which is when it’s difficult to pull your foot or toes upwards. You could also be experiencing what I call “weakfoot”, meaning it’s difficult to push your foot off the ground. Again, it is most important to avoid irregular terrain, so it is important to consider or experiment with other forms of exercise.

If you have weakness or numbness that is not too severe, and you’re able to walk for exercise, then make sure your shoe selection is good. Generally, a shoe with more support (which is called a motion control shoe) should be used. Additionally, keep an eye on your shoes and make sure you do not overwear them to the point that they start to break down.

These are the ways that neuropathy can affect your walking. Please understand that it is important to seek treatment if you’re experiencing neuropathy. Contrary to what conventional medicine says, you do not have to live with it or take medications. At Anderson Center for Neuropathy and Chronic Pain, we can reverse the symptoms of neuropathies with surgical or non-surgical means.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for your mental and physical well-being. We hope this blog gives you a better understanding of peripheral neuropathy affect walking and how it impacts exercise regimen.

Treatment for neuropathy in legs and feet Broomfield and Fort Collins. Call or email us today.

Exercises to Improve Walking for People 50+ with Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can make walking more challenging due to loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and balance issues. However, staying active with gentle, low-impact exercises can improve mobility, reduce discomfort, and enhance overall stability.

Safety Tips Before You Start

  • Choose a stable surface – Perform exercises near a chair, wall, or countertop for support.
  • Wear proper footwear – Supportive, non-slip shoes reduce the risk of falls.
  • Go slow and listen to your body – If you feel pain, dizziness, or weakness, stop and rest.
  • Exercise at the right time – If neuropathy worsens at certain times of the day (e.g., after long periods of standing), adjust your routine accordingly.
  • Stay hydrated and take breaks – Dehydration and fatigue can increase fall risks.

1. Gentle Stretching for Flexibility

As we age, muscles naturally become tighter, increasing the risk of falls. Stretching helps keep the legs flexible and reduces stiffness.

Seated Calf Stretch (Safer Alternative)

  • Sit in a sturdy chair, extend one leg, and gently pull your toes toward you using a towel or band.
  •  Hold for 20-30 seconds per leg.

Ankle Circles (Improves foot mobility)

  • While seated, lift one foot and slowly rotate your ankle in circles to increase flexibility.
  •  Do 5-10 circles in each direction.

2. Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise for Better Circulation

Aerobic activities increase blood flow and nerve function, helping slow neuropathy progression. Safe options for older adults include:

  • Seated Marching – Sit tall in a chair, lift one knee at a time in a marching motion. (Great alternative to walking!)
  • Slow, short walks indoors – Use a walker or cane for added support if needed.
  • Water aerobics or pool walking – The water provides natural support, reducing strain on joints.
  • Stationary cycling (with back support) – Helps strengthen legs without impact on the feet.

3. Calf Raises for Strength and Stability

Weak calf muscles can make it harder to lift the heels and maintain balance while walking.

  • How to do it: Stand near a chair or counter for support. Slowly rise onto your toes, hold for a few seconds, and lower back down.
  • Modifications: If standing is difficult, try a seated version by pressing the toes down while lifting the heels off the floor.
  • Reps: Aim for 10-15 repetitions for 2-3 sets.

4. Leg Raises to Prevent Falls

As neuropathy weakens the hips and legs, walking can feel unsteady. Strengthening these muscles can improve control and confidence.

  • Seated Leg Raises (Easiest Version) – Sit in a sturdy chair, straighten one leg, hold for 5-10 seconds, then switch sides.
  • Standing Side Leg Raises – Holding onto a chair, lift one leg to the side, keeping your torso straight. Lower slowly and repeat 10 times per leg.
  • Modification: If standing is too difficult, try side leg lifts while seated.

Final Tips for Success

  • Start with shorter sessions (5-10 minutes) and increase gradually.
  • Focus on posture – Keep your chest lifted and shoulders relaxed while exercising.
  • Consider a balance aid – If you feel unsteady, use a cane or walker when doing standing exercises.
  • Try chair exercises – If standing is difficult, most exercises can be done while seated for safety.

By practicing these exercises regularly, adults 50+ can improve strength, reduce fall risks, and regain confidence in walking despite peripheral neuropathy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is peripheral neuropathy, and how does it impact mobility?

Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often leading to sensations like burning, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the feet and legs. This nerve damage can hinder your ability to sense the ground, making walking challenging and increasing the risk of instability and falls.

How prevalent is diabetic neuropathy, and what are the potential dangers?

Diabetic neuropathy affects 50-70% of individuals with diabetes, potentially leading to severe complications such as ulcers and amputations. Symptoms often start with numbness, which can mask injuries, allowing them to become serious. Even without a diabetes diagnosis, neuropathy symptoms may indicate pre-diabetes, necessitating early intervention.

What advantages does walking offer for those with neuropathy?

Walking provides numerous benefits, including improved mood, better sleep quality, weight management, and enhanced heart health. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and can reduce the risk of complications like high blood pressure and joint issues. Walking can be a safe and effective exercise with proper precautions.

How can pain from peripheral neuropathy affect walking?

Pain from neuropathy can deter walking, but managing the pain and gradually increasing walking duration can be beneficial. When walking becomes too painful, alternatives such as cycling, swimming, or water aerobics can provide similar health benefits without exacerbating the pain.

What steps should be taken if neuropathy causes numbness or weakness?

Numbness and weakness can compromise balance and safety. It is crucial to walk on smooth, even surfaces and wear supportive shoes to prevent falls. For severe symptoms, consider low-impact activities like swimming or stationary biking to maintain fitness without risking injury. Regular monitoring and appropriate footwear are key to managing these challenges.

What We Believe: Anderson Podiatry Center for Foot Nerve Pain Treatment

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chronic nerve pain center anderson podiatry

I’d like to take a few moments to explain our philosophy at our foot nerve pain treatment center. Many of you know generally what a podiatrist does. We work on feet and ankles. But why a center for nerve pain? Why would you come to us for this?

At Anderson Podiatry Center, our approach to patient care focuses on addressing the root cause of your issues, not just alleviating the symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with restless legs, neuropathy, or chronic nerve pain resulting from trauma, we are committed to providing effective and lasting solutions for your nerve-related problems. By identifying and treating the underlying causes, we aim to not only relieve your immediate discomfort but also offer you the opportunity for long-term resolution. Our dedicated team of specialists works tirelessly to reverse the symptoms you’re experiencing and enhance your overall quality of life, ensuring that you can enjoy improved health and mobility. With our patient-centered approach, you can trust us to deliver comprehensive care that prioritizes your well-being and helps you achieve a better, pain-free future.

Patients can be divided into two groups based upon their current belief systems, or what they have been told about their neuropathy. These beliefs are very important to take the time to consider.

  1. The belief or of those who don’t come to our foot nerve pain treatment center are:
  • that the nerve symptoms below your knee probably originate from your back, so we can’t help you.
  • that the drugs you’re taking are helping your nerves and you’re fine with continuing down that pathway, so we can’t help you.
  • that it’s good enough to allow the drugs to mute your symptoms and you aren’t worried what this could progress to, so you won’t need our help.
  • that your nerves are just diseased from the diabetes, restless legs, or chemotherapy, and that’s just the way it is.

If you do have these belief, I’m sorry but we will be of no help. But I urge you to challenge these beliefs or what you may have been told.

nerve pain monitoring anderson podiatry center

Who does come to us? People who believe there’s got to be a better way. People who don’t like to take no for an answer when it comes to improving their nerve health and general wellbeing. We attract people to the center who most fit our beliefs. Some travel a great distance from many states away to hear what we have to say.

  1. The belief of those who do come to our Nerve Pain Center follow the same beliefs as we do; they don’t simply accept their condition, but they question:
  • Why do I have to be on drugs?
  • Why am I being told it’s because of my back?
  • Why am I told I just have to live with it?
  • Why am I told its not reversible?

Many of the people who find us feel more secure to know that we have a research team that tracks our outcomes. To disrupt and revise the standard way you’ve been treated and to back our outcomes with research is who we are, it is our mission and purpose!

Please check our website to learn more about our alternatives to these common beliefs about neuropathy. You may be very glad you did. Some of the topics that we have explained in fine detail are:

So in summary, I have one more question: what do you BELIEVE?

Find the answers you are looking for, by a call, email or chat. With our own foot nerve pain treatment center, we are one of the highest rated foot and ankle clinics in the tri-state area of Colorado, Wyoming and Cheyenne. International patients have also trusted us to find a cure and management path to a better way of live. Two convenient locations in Fort Collins and Broomfield.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

3 Essential Books for Understanding and Living with Neuropathy

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Your legs and feet are one of the most important parts of our body; they carry you everywhere you go. So, naturally, leg and feet issues can greatly disrupt your daily life. This is sadly the case for the many people who suffer from neuropathy– or nerve pain. Neuropathy is painful, frustrating, and debilitating, and with all the information out there it can be overwhelming finding good, accurate sources of information, but it doesn’t have to be.

First of all, you might have neuropathy and not even know it. Some symptoms to look for with neuropathy include muscle weakness, twitching, tingling, burning, loss of balance, numbness, prickling sensations, and/or nerve pain in your legs or feet. Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, injury, infections, certain cancers, and alcohol, and it is progressive and will worsen over time.

To help you correctly live with and understand your neuropathy we have found three essential books to read:

  1. Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health– by Richard Jacoby, DPM

Even though this book is not solely on neuropathy, it is still an excellent resource for those who suffer from it. Sugar Crush was written by a leading peripheral nerve surgeon. In it he explains why sugar and carbohydrates are harmful to the body’s nerves, and how eliminating them may help mitigate or even reverse nerve damage.

He goes on to describe how a diet high in sugar, processed carbohydrates, and wheat compresses and damages the peripheral nerves of the body. This leads to pain, numbness, and tinging in hands and feet. Sound familiar? These are the same symptoms as neuropathy, which is why this book is a great resource for you!

  1. Coping with Peripheral Neuropathy: How to handle stress, disability, anxiety, fatigue, depression, pain, and relationships– by Scott Berman, MD CIDP

Unfortunately, living with chronic pain and a debilitating disease affects much more than just your physical body. It affects your emotions, causes other problems such as anxiety and depression, and often affects those around you as well.

However, keep in mind that although this book may help you cope with the chronic pain you currently live with, you might not always have to. Just as Sugar Crush discusses, there are possible treatments that may reverse neuropathy symptoms and help stop chronic pain.

  1. Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief: Guided Practices for Reclaiming Your Body and Your Life– by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Those who suffer from neuropathy often complain of chronic pain as well. If you live a life shaped by pain, you understand the physical and emotional sufferings that usually accompany it. In this book you can learn how to rely on meditation, rather than solely medication, to ease your pain. Often neuropathy patients complain about all the medications they have to take that don’t always work, and almost always come with unwanted side effects. Here is a great alternative.

According to customer reviews, this book offers meditation techniques for beginners, so anyone can use it and find relief, while also discovering new freedom and improved quality of life. However, same with the above book mentioned, remember that there are treatments for neuropathy that have been able to reverse symptoms for many patients, enabling them to live pain free.

These books are very helpful for living with neuropathy, but they are not your only source of information. Speak to a podiatrist to learn all about your disease, and more importantly how you may be able to reverse your symptoms with promising treatment options.

Understanding and Living with Neuropathy

How to Get Rid of Ugly Toenails?

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Toenail fungus is a frustrating and embarrassing condition. It’s made even more difficult by the fact that there aren’t many long-lasting treatment options available. At Anderson Podiatry Center, however, we offer hope with our Laser Nail Treatment. We have a lot of experience treating fungal nails as we were the first in the Rocky Mountain area to introduce the laser nail concept in 2008. We feel we have refined our treatments to maximize the potential improvement this technology can offer.

Fungal nails (onychomycosis) have commonly been described by our patients as an “icky” condition. It can be painful, make nails difficult to trim, and many times embarrassing. Other treatment options can include topical, which you apply directly to the nail. This treatment, however, has a very low success rate. Oral medication called Lamisil can also be used. It can have a toxic effect on the liver, but I would consider it the second most successful option. It can be used in select situations, sometimes in combination with laser, but we discuss this on a case-by-case basis.

Finally, the laser option I feel gives you the best opportunity to help with your fungal nails. The laser we use is a Pinpointe Laser and was designed exclusively for the treatment of this kind of condition. The original research showed that in 88 percent of patients, it was effective in improving their nails. From our experience, we have found this to be true.

The laser treatment is safe and pain-free. It works on the simple concept of creating a tremendous amount of heat in the nail. The heat is what kills the fungus. The laser light pulses so quickly into the nail that patients rarely experience the sensation of heat in the nail.

So, please consider these options for your fungal nail. Because of our vast experience combined with this excellent technology, we can offer you the best chance of helping you with your nail concerns. We can give you the best chance of not being embarrassed to show your ugly toenails or constantly having to hide them with polish.

photo-1459866385407-b096dc4861e2

Drop Foot: Why it’s Important to Seek Treatment Right Away

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I recently opened the paper on Sunday night and something in the sports section caught my eye. A star Notre Dame Football player, Jaylon Smith (soon to be playing professional football) has a drop foot. I researched more about his injury and subsequent reconstructive surgery to repair his knee. The discussion in the article was if he would ever fully regain his strength and return to football. I’m not sure if the discussion was about his injury, the surgery, or a combination of both, but in it they were contemplating whether Jaylon would ever return to normal.

In the interview Jaylon was being told to sit and wait. What?! The article specifically mentioned an injury to the common peroneal nerve. As a surgeon who operates on this nerve regularly this raised some serious concern.

I was concerned because I have seen many patients with a history of knee or hip surgery suffer from complications of drop foot. In Jaylon’s case it may have been from the knee injury. Doctors take a “wait and see” attitude towards this.   However, if there is not rapid trend toward improvement in the first 3 month I feel surgery should be considered.

Waiting could risk more long term permanent damage!Foot Drop: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Drop foot is often considered to be from a sciatic nerve that gets stretched. Understand that the common peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve that travels below the knee and sends impulses to the muscles that pull the foot up and to the side.  So, the basis of my concern is that the common peroneal nerve travels through an anatomical nerve tunnel just below the knee. This is an area where there is potential tightness or squeezing of the nerve which serves as an anchoring point, and when it is released (opened) it will reduce the stretching of the common peroneal nerve.

It’s been my experience when helping patients with drop foot after years of complications from knee or hip surgery that early intervention would have been better to maximize strength improvement.  I perform surgery on this nerve tunnel multiple times per month. It’s a 20 minute procedure with patients going home that day walking, and many have improvement within days. This challenges conventional wisdom that the nerves will take months to repair.

Thus, waiting could be detrimental to his career! So, even for people who aren’t professional athletes, waiting may not be the best plan.

This information I am sharing challenges what I would consider “traditional concepts.”  It has been thought that stretching of the sciatic nerve is the primary issue, but it has been my experience that by opening the anatomical tunnel that the common peroneal nerve travels through just below the knee the drop foot can be corrected.  As a surgeon, and the past President of the Colorado Podiatric Medical Association; Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons, who does research associated with this nerve and its effects on the lower extremity I thought my opinion should be shared and considered.

If you experience drop foot from an injury, or knee or hip surgery please seriously consider this option!

Diabetic Foot Numbness: The Silent Threat to Your Health and Mobility

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Neuropathy: A Silent Killer

Understanding Why Numbness is More Dangerous Than Pain

For many of my diabetic patients, numbness develops so gradually they barely notice its progression. The sensation diminishes on such a slow gradient that they forget what normal foot sensitivity feels like. This adaptation becomes dangerous—when you can’t feel your feet, you can’t detect injuries, and if left untreated, these injuries can lead to amputation. The sobering reality is that amputation significantly shortens life expectancy for diabetic patients, with five-year mortality rates approaching 50% after major lower extremity amputation.

A numb foot is the most dangerous foot a diabetic can have.

As a podiatrist who has treated thousands of diabetic patients, I’ve witnessed how early intervention can dramatically change outcomes. Let me share two contrasting patient stories that illustrate why numbness should never be ignored.

Patient Stories of Foot Numbness: Two Different Paths

Patient One: Early Intervention Saves a Foot

Mrs. Johnson (name changed for privacy) visited our clinic with what she described as “feet that were killing her with chronic pain.” She had been taking Lyrica for her diabetic neuropathy, but it provided minimal relief. The burning, tingling pain had become unbearable, affecting her sleep and quality of life.

After a comprehensive evaluation, we discussed treatment options and agreed that nerve decompression surgery would be appropriate for her condition. However, life got busy, and she postponed the procedure. When she returned months later, I noticed the beginning of an ulcer on one toe—a dangerous development that made surgery an immediate priority. I explained how the procedure could not only alleviate her pain but potentially restore sensation, which would prevent future ulcers from developing unnoticed.

The results were remarkable. Almost immediately after surgery, her nerve pain subsided significantly, and she regained sensation in her toes. In her own words, “The foot you operated on feels so much warmer than the other foot.” The toe ulcer healed rapidly, and within weeks, we performed the same procedure on her other foot with equally successful results. Today, Mrs. Johnson has maintained both feet without complications, continues her regular diabetic foot care routine, and enjoys an active lifestyle.

Patient Two: Delayed Intervention Leads to Partial Loss

Mr. Thomas (name changed) had a different perspective on his numbness. To him, it “wasn’t that big a deal.” He could function adequately and sleep well. Yes, the numbness made walking more challenging, but he had adapted. By the time he sought treatment, he had already lost two toes to amputation.

The risk of amputating his foot and having the same issue affect his other foot is what drove him to come to our clinic. We performed nerve decompression surgery on the foot that had already undergone partial amputation. To his satisfaction, the results mirrored those of our first patient—increased warmth and restored sensation. While the surgery was successful in preventing further tissue loss, this case isn’t as positive as the first because permanent damage had already occurred. Had he sought treatment earlier, he might still have all his toes and better mobility.

The Medical Reality of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes. The condition damages the nerves in your feet by:

  • Restricting blood flow to the nerves
  • Creating compression in natural nerve tunnels
  • Causing biochemical changes that damage nerve fibers

This damage manifests in two primary ways:

  • Painful neuropathy: Burning, tingling, electrical sensations
  • Insensate neuropathy: Advancing numbness with decreased ability to feel potential damage

While painful neuropathy is distressing, it typically prompts patients to seek treatment. Numbness, however, often goes untreated until complications arise.

Why Numbness is More Dangerous Than Pain

Consider these contrasting outcomes:

  1. Pain = motivation to seek treatment = nerve restoration = no amputation = more active, healthy life
  2. Numbness = no motivation to seek help = delayed treatment = potential amputation = reduced mobility = shortened lifespan

Research indicates that individuals who undergo lower extremity amputation experience:

  • Decreased mobility and independence
  • Higher risk of depression
  • Increased cardiovascular complications
  • Reduced life expectancy by 5-10 years

Treatment Options for Diabetic Neuropathy

Modern podiatric medicine offers several approaches to address diabetic neuropathy:

  • Nerve Decompression Surgery: Releasing compressed nerves to restore blood flow and sensation
  • Medical Management: Medications to address nerve pain and improve circulation
  • Advanced Wound Care: Specialized treatment for existing ulcers or injuries
  • Preventative Foot Care: Regular check-ups and proper footwear
  • Blood Sugar Control: Working with your primary physician to manage diabetes effectively

How to Assess Your Risk for Numbness due to Diabetic Neuropathy

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Can you feel a light touch on all areas of your feet?
  • Do you notice temperature changes on your feet?
  • Have you noticed any changes in foot color or unexplained calluses?
  • Do your feet feel unusually cold or warm?
  • Have you had any painless injuries on your feet?

If you answered “no” to the first two questions or “yes” to the others, you should consult with a podiatrist specialized in diabetic foot care immediately.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The choice becomes clear when you consider the options: either surgery to remove part of your foot after damage occurs, or proactive treatment to restore nerve function and preserve your foot. This crucial message needs to reach more diabetic patients before complications develop.
Remember, while you may not be able to control the development of neuropathy, you can control the outcome through early intervention.

Take Action Today

If you’re experiencing any signs of diabetic neuropathy—whether painful symptoms or concerning numbness—schedule a comprehensive foot evaluation with our team at Anderson Podiatry Center. Early intervention is your best defense against the silent threat of diabetic foot numbness.

Call us today at our Fort Collins location (970) 484-4620, Broomfield location (720) 259-5053 or use our online scheduling system to book your appointment.

Dr. James Anderson, DPM, is a board-certified podiatrist specializing in diabetic foot care and nerve decompression surgery with over [X] years of experience helping patients maintain foot health and mobility.