Picture this: You’re going about your day, moving something large from here to there, when suddenly you drop the object right on your foot! It’s heavy enough to hit hard, but fortunately, you’re pretty positive no bones have been broken. Soon enough, however, constant pain has you wondering: Could something else be wrong?

Even negative X-rays aren’t enough to guarantee that you are problem-free. The fact is, you’re probably dealing with nerve damage of some kind. At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, we treat many patients with nerve damage issues, and for this blog post, we’ve decided to boost awareness of some typical conditions that we end up treating the most.

What Should I Do If a Dropped Object Has Damaged My Nerves?

We’ve witnessed patients suffer for months from nerve damage to the top of the foot. If you’ve been injured in this manner, there are a few steps you should take right away:

Keep pressure off the top of your foot whenever possible.
Select loose fitting shoes and sandals, weather permitting, to avoid further nerve irritation.
Do not wrap your foot in an Ace bandage. This will add pressure, which can exacerbate the problem with your nerves.

Are There Any Other Forms of Nerve Damage to Watch For?

While some forms of nerve damage result from different forms of trauma to the foot, others can stem from different sources. One, in particular, should be closely watched for: Peripheral neuropathy.

This form of nerve damage strikes the nerves that run the length of your legs and arms.
Its most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes, yet it has also been linked to advanced age, some medications, injury, neurological disorders, arthritis, and alcoholism.
With neuropathy, damage to the nerves results in a failure to transmit messages from your extremities to your brain.
The decreased sensation means that minor injuries, if unnoticed, can spiral into sores, ulcers, and dangerous infections.
While there is no cure, neuropathy should be managed with the assistance of your podiatrist, and for those with diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is crucial.

If you’re struggling with nerve damage, we can help. Our offices are conveniently located in Woodland Park, and we welcome our neighbors in Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. To schedule an appointment, contact us at 973-256-0002. We always enjoy serving you!