Peripheral neuropathy involves damage or destruction of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. They transmit signals between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Damage can be caused by diabetes, infections, toxins, or trauma. Sensory neuropathy affects the ability to feel pain, temperature, and touch. Motor neuropathy impacts muscle control and movement. Autonomic neuropathy affects involuntary functions, such as sweating and blood flow regulation. Risk factors include long-standing diabetes, excessive alcohol use, and certain medical conditions. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning pain, and muscle weakness in the feet, often leading to balance problems and injury risk. A podiatrist can assess nerve function, identify complications, and provide treatment to protect the feet from injury. If you have symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can offer effective relief and management solutions.

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 Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. 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 New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Top of foot pain can result from several conditions that affect bones, nerves, and joints. Arthritis is joint inflammation that causes stiffness and aching. Bone spurs are bony growths that develop from long-term pressure or joint stress. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that leads to burning, tingling, or numbness in the foot. A stress fracture is a small bone crack caused by repetitive impact or overuse. Each of these conditions can limit mobility and worsen without proper treatment. Risk factors include repetitive activity, wearing improper footwear, aging, and underlying health conditions. A podiatrist can diagnose the exact cause through examination and imaging, then provide treatments such as orthotics, medication guidance, or activity modification. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can determine what the cause is, and offer appropriate treatment solutions.

Foot Pain

Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Causes

Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Bone Spurs
• Corns
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ingrown Toenails
• Arthritis (such as Gout, Rheumatoid, and Osteoarthritis)
• Flat Feet
• Injury (from stress fractures, broken toe, foot, ankle, Achilles tendon ruptures, and sprains)
• And more

Diagnosis

To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.

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

Puncture wounds from pedaling injuries are common in children and teens and occur when the foot slips off a bicycle pedal and strikes the sharp metal surface. This can cause small but deep wounds that may introduce bacteria into the skin. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, swelling, and tenderness. In some cases, signs of infection such as redness or drainage may develop. Risk factors include bike riding without proper footwear, wet or worn pedals, and lack of experience or control while cycling. Without prompt care, complications can arise. A podiatrist can help by properly cleaning the wound to prevent infection and guiding healing. If your child has a foot injury from cycling, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide effective treatment.

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 Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. 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 contact our office located in New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Ankle pain can come from different injuries, and two of the most important to understand are sprains and fractures. A sprain occurs when ligaments, the strong bands that hold bones together, are stretched or torn. This often happens after the ankle twists, leading to swelling, bruising, and pain with movement. A fracture means a break in one or more bones of the ankle joint. Fractures usually cause sudden, severe pain, visible swelling, and difficulty putting weight on the foot. In some cases, the ankle may appear misshapen. A podiatrist can perform a detailed exam to assess joint stability and order X-rays and other imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options include bracing, immobilization, or surgery, depending on the type of injury and severity. Early evaluation helps prevent long-term joint damage and instability. If you are experiencing severe ankle pain, it is suggested that you make an emergency appointment with a podiatrist for medical treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Kristina Robertson, DPM from Nola Sole Podiatry. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in New Orleans, LA . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.