Getting the proper diagnosis is the first step to getting better.
Even though it impacts so many, it’s not a well-known condition. People living with neuropathy experience burning, tingling, numbness and pain in their legs or feet on a daily basis. “Patients will come in with some pain and difficulty walking a normal distance, which they write off as getting older,” said Dr. Diana Perry, of CIC Foot & Ankle in Flagstaff. “Most people don’t realize it could be neuropathy until you start talking about it.”
The first line of treatment for neuropathy is often a prescription. “Pills aren’t a cure; they just treat the symptoms, so the body doesn’t notice them,” said Perry. “It’s concerning, because if we don’t know what is causing the symptoms, the medication could hide a developing problem and let it get worse.”
To treat this condition, it’s important to diagnose it. In many cases, it’s caused by diabetes, but poor circulation can also cause similar symptoms or make them worse. If poor circulation is causing the symptoms, it can and should be treated. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs in the legs and is a narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs.
PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, which hardens into plaque. When this occurs, it limits the amount of blood that passes through the arteries. Diminished blood flow (poor circulation) affects the nerves and muscles in your legs and feet.
“Blood brings oxygen and nutrients to your feet and toes, which they need to stay healthy,” explained Dr. Joel Rainwater, M.D., an endovascular specialist and chief medical officer of CIC. Without proper blood supply, nerves and muscles are affected. The body reacts in the form of pain or leg cramps, signaling medical attention is needed. Dr. Rainwater asks, “If you’re a nerve cell and you don’t get oxygen or nutrients or vitamins, how are you going to function?”
The blood vessels carry those nutrients into your tissues for your nerves to use and if you don’t have good circulation, your nerves can’t function normally. “How do your nerves tell you what’s wrong? They start to itch, they might start burning, they might become numb, or they might have sharp, shooting electric style pain,” said Rainwater. “That’s your nerve crying out for help. PAD is a serious condition that can’t be ignored.”
The good news is that PAD is treatable. Specialists are able to use X-ray imaging to view the inside of the arteries to see if there is a blockage. “So, what we do,” explained Rainwater, “is go into the bloodstream through a nick in the skin to find the blockage. Then, with small tools that can go into the smallest arteries, remove the blockage, and restore that blood flow without surgery, without scalpels, without stitches.” Once the plaque is removed, blood flow improves. This can all be done in a few hours in an office setting and is covered by Medicare and most insurances.
Getting the proper diagnosis is the first step to getting better. “It’s all about finding out what’s causing the problem,” said Perry. “When your feet burn, tingle or feel numb, it’s your body telling you it needs help, and you should listen. In fact, if you are experiencing any type of discomfort or things just don’t seem right, tell your doctor. The only way we can help is if you let us know.” FBN
By Reisha Zang
Dr. Diana Perry, DPM, specializes in limb preservation and trauma of the foot. She can be reached at CiC 928-719-7400.