Blog Post

Nerve pain happens when problems in your nervous system get in the way of your nerve’s normal function. This can result from injuries and diseases like diabetes, which is a leading cause of nerve pain. And once nerve pain unfolds, appropriate treatment can go a long way.

At Oexeman Foot and Ankle, PLLC, in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Stephanie Oexeman is fellowship-trained in treating nerve pain affecting the lower extremities. She and her team help people who are living with chronic nerve pain find relief through conservative and surgical treatments.

Take a few minutes to learn more about nerve pain, including five reasons to seek treatment.

Nerve pain symptoms

Nerve pain symptoms can come on suddenly, after a trauma such as a sports injury or car accident, or more gradually, due to poorly controlled diabetes. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels spike high for weeks or more, you run the risk of permanent nerve damage. This condition, known as neuropathy, affects up to 50% of people with diabetes.

Nerve damage can cause a range of symptoms, such as burning or shooting pain, difficulty sleeping, numbness and tingling, loss of balance, and muscle weakness. These symptoms can wreak havoc on your life, leading to low or irritable moods and an increased risk for falls and fractures.

5 reasons to seek treatment for your nerve pain

Prompt treatment for your nerve pain is important for preserving and enhancing your overall health and well-being. Some of the most important reasons to seek such care include:

• Physical and emotional ease, so you can go about your life more easily
• Preventing the worsening of your symptoms
• Staving off slow-healing wounds that can lead to nerve damage
• Protection from infection and gangrene that can lead to the need for amputation
• A lesser likelihood that you’ll need other invasive treatments

While early treatment is ideal, it’s important to note that it’s never too late to get needed care.

Treatment for nerve pain

Treatment for nerve pain will vary, depending on factors such as your age, the underlying cause of your pain, and the severity of your symptoms. After an exam and discussion of your symptoms and medical history, Dr. Oexeman may recommend:

• Drop foot surgery
• Implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator
• Nerve decompression or release
• Nerve grafts and conduits
• Nerve reconstruction repair
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks
• Revision after failed nerve surgery
• Targeted nerve transfer
• Tendon transfer for muscle weakness

You may also benefit from lifestyle changes, such as better managing your diabetes through dietary or medication changes. 

To learn more about nerve pain or to get the care you need, call our office or book an appointment online today.