Peripheral neuropathy is a condition affecting the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This system relays information between the central nervous system and the rest of the body, controlling sensations, movements, and autonomic functions. Peripheral neuropathy occurs when these nerves are damaged, leading to symptoms like tingling, numbness, pain, and weakness, often in the hands and feet. It can result from diabetes, infections, autoimmune diseases, toxins, or even trauma. Small fiber neuropathy specifically affects the small sensory fibers responsible for pain and temperature regulation. This type of neuropathy can cause burning or stabbing pain, tingling, or sensitivity to temperature. It often occurs in conditions like diabetes, but it can also be caused by other factors such as genetic disorders or autoimmune diseases. If you are feeling symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for an early diagnosis and management to prevent worsening of symptoms and nerve damage.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy can be a potentially serious condition, especially if it is left undiagnosed. If you have any concerns that you may be experiencing nerve loss in your feet, consult with one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment for neuropathy.

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition that leads to damage to the nerves in the body. Peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy that affects your peripheral nervous system, usually occurs in the feet. Neuropathy can be triggered by a number of different causes. Such causes include diabetes, infections, cancers, disorders, and toxic substances.

Symptoms of Neuropathy Include:

• Numbness
• Sensation loss
• Prickling and tingling sensations
• Throbbing, freezing, burning pains
• Muscle weakness

Those with diabetes are at serious risk due to being unable to feel an ulcer on their feet. Diabetics usually also suffer from poor blood circulation. This can lead to the wound not healing, infections occurring, and the limb may have to be amputated.

Treatment

To treat neuropathy in the foot, podiatrists will first diagnose the cause of the neuropathy. Figuring out the underlying cause of the neuropathy will allow the podiatrist to prescribe the best treatment, whether it be caused by diabetes, toxic substance exposure, infection, etc. If the nerve has not died, then it’s possible that sensation may be able to return to the foot.

Pain medication may be issued for pain. Electrical nerve stimulation can be used to stimulate nerves. If the neuropathy is caused from pressure on the nerves, then surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Cuboid syndrome is a common but often overlooked cause of lateral foot pain in athletes, particularly in sports involving running, jumping, and sudden direction changes. It occurs when the cuboid bone, located on the outer side of the foot, becomes partially dislocated or misaligned. Athletes may experience sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, including palpation of the cuboid area, range of motion tests, and sometimes imaging like X-rays to rule out fractures. Treatment typically starts with rest. A podiatrist may try to realign the cuboid bone with manual manipulation. They may also use taping or orthotics to support the foot and prevent recurrence. If you participate in sports and have pain on the side of your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cuboid syndrome, also known as cuboid subluxation, occurs when the joints and ligaments near the cuboid bone in the foot become torn. If you have cuboid syndrome, consult with one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Cuboid syndrome is a common cause of lateral foot pain, which is pain on the outside of the foot. The condition may happen suddenly due to an ankle sprain, or it may develop slowly overtime from repetitive tension through the bone and surrounding structures.

Causes

The most common causes of cuboid syndrome include:

• Injury – The most common cause of this ailment is an ankle sprain.
• Repetitive Strain – Tension placed through the peroneus longus muscle from repetitive activities such as jumping and running may cause excessive traction on the bone causing it to sublux.
• Altered Foot Biomechanics – Most people suffering from cuboid subluxation have flat feet.

Symptoms

A common symptom of cuboid syndrome is pain along the outside of the foot which can be felt in the ankle and toes. This pain may create walking difficulties and may cause those with the condition to walk with a limp.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of cuboid syndrome is often difficult, and it is often misdiagnosed. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans often fail to properly show the cuboid subluxation. Although there isn’t a specific test used to diagnose cuboid syndrome, your podiatrist will usually check if pain is felt while pressing firmly on the cuboid bone of your foot.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are ice therapy, rest, exercise, taping, and orthotics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Negative pressure therapy, or vacuum-assisted closure, is an effective treatment for diabetic foot wounds, promoting faster healing and reducing complications. This method involves applying a controlled negative pressure to the wound through a sealed dressing connected to a vacuum pump. This pressure helps to remove excess fluid, reduce swelling, and enhance blood flow to the area, which accelerates tissue repair. Additionally, this type of therapy helps to draw the wound edges together, facilitating faster closure and reducing the risk of infection. For diabetic patients, who often face challenges with wound healing due to compromised circulation and neuropathy, negative pressure therapy can be a game-changer. If you have a diabetic foot wound, it is strongly suggested that you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist to determine if this therapy is suitable for your specific wound.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with one of our podiatrists from DeCaro Total Foot Care Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in West Hatfield, MA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.