A 5-Point Symptom Checklist

If you are currently searching for answers to questions like, “Why do my toes feel numb?” or “What causes burning in my feet at night?”, you are not alone. These disruptive and confusing sensations are some of the most common reasons patients visit our office.

Often, these symptoms point to a condition called peripheral neuropathy: a form of nerve damage that frequently affects the feet and toes first.

Because early intervention is critical, the team at Advanced Foot Care of NJ has put together a simple self-assessment checklist. If you are wondering whether your foot discomfort is neuropathy, start here.

The Peripheral Neuropathy Checklist: 5 Signs to Watch For

Any change in sensation in your toes or feet is a red flag. Review this checklist to see if your symptoms align with peripheral neuropathy:

[ ] 1. Burning or Tingling: Do you frequently experience a “pins and needles” sensation in your toes, especially when trying to rest?
[ ] 2. Complete Numbness: Do parts of your feet or toes feel “dead” or asleep, to the point where you might not feel the ground clearly when you walk?
[ ] 3. Sharp, Stabbing Pain: Do you get sudden, unexplainable electrical or stabbing pains in your feet?
[ ] 4. Unnoticed Injuries: Have you ever taken off your shoes or socks to discover a cut, blister, or scrape on your foot that you never actually felt happen?
[ ] 5. A Diabetes Diagnosis: Are you currently managing diabetes or pre-diabetes? The pain and numbness of neuropathy are often its earliest signs.

Did you check one or more of these boxes? If so, it is time to stop searching the internet and start seeking professional, patient-centered care.

Why You Need a Podiatrist (And What Happens Next)

It is easy to ignore a little tingling, but neuropathy is not a condition you can treat at home. Because the condition decreases sensation, you might not notice a minor injury. Left unchecked, a simple scrape can rapidly worsen into a serious diabetic foot ulcer or infection.

While there is currently no absolute cure for neuropathy, there is hope.

Our primary goals are to relieve your daily pain, slow the progression of the disease, and protect your long-term foot health.

Here is what your patient-centered treatment plan will look like:

Confirming the Diagnosis: We will perform a thorough examination to map out exactly where your nerve damage is and evaluate your overall foot health.
Pain Management: We can prescribe highly effective oral medications to calm the nerves and relieve the pain so you can sleep and walk comfortably.
Daily Protection Strategies: We will guide you on the best supportive, properly fitting shoes. (Rule number one: Never walk barefoot!)
At-Home Care: We will teach you how to inspect your feet daily. If you struggle to see the bottom of your feet, we’ll discuss how a family member can help you check for hidden sores.
Blood Sugar Collaboration: The degree of your neuropathy directly parallels your blood sugar control. The better you manage your glucose, the more sensation you will keep in your toes. We will work with your healthcare team to keep you on track.

Take Control of Your Foot Health Today

Patients living with neuropathy should visit their podiatrist at least once a year for a comprehensive examination to check for hidden damage or infection.

Don’t wait until a numb toe turns into a serious wound. If you suspect you have neuropathy, report your symptoms to our team immediately. Visit our blog for more resources or contact us today to schedule your comprehensive evaluation.

At Advanced Foot Care of NJ, LLC, our doctor and staff proudly serve the communities of Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Verona, Stoney Road, Sandy Hill, Albion Place, and Great Notch. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!