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How can I minimize foot pain/burning during strenuous walking?
After 13 spine surgeries, I am suffering from severe chronic pain and worsening neuropathy in my feet. I can still walk up to 2.0 miles every other day, but what keeps me walking farther is not back/buttocks/leg pain; it's severe pain, burning and numbness in the soles of my feet and toes. I've tried so many different "snake oils", nerve pain creams, etc..., but the pain after I've walked only 1/2 mile is insane! After I've gone about 1.5 miles, my back/buttocks/leg pain almost goes away, but with every step I take, I want to scream because of the intense burning pain in the soles of my feet. The doctors say that I can't do anything about it. Besides the creams and balms, I've tried magnesium, B-vitamins and R-alpha lipoic acid supplements. Still, after a year of experimentation, I've found nothing that gets me over the hump. Any suggestions from the group?
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scampano3, biofreeze is no cure, but if you haven't tried the spray you might. It is supposed to be effective for around 4 hours. You might carry it with you on your walks if there are places where you can sit and take off your shoes and socks without embarrassment.
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2 Reactionshelp for nightly neuropathy in my left foot.
@aprilsecond40
In the past year since my surgery, I have spent tons on money at Amazon on topical creams, ointments, supplements and 'gadgets' that don't do squat. All a waste of money that I can't afford since I am not working. My pain management doctor told me that NOTHING topical will reach the nerves to help, at least in my case anyway. Since I am at home doing nothing, I spend most of my day researching online, coming up with probably the same results that everyone else has. I even put Tens Unit pads on my foot and crank it to the highest setting and I barely feel it, it's like it's on ONE instead. I do that to give the nerves 'some' stimulation. Not sure if it does anything since I don't even feel it, but I am grasping at straws. I try not to get my hopes up everytime I read something. I was hoping to be in a Clinical Trial, but there are none currently open in my area for what I am going through. I would suggest looking in your area to see if there any available. Check ClinicalTrials.gov This link will provide more info as well: https://neuropathyresource.com/neuropathy-clinical-trials/
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3 Reactions@scampano3, Sorry to hear that you haven't found much help for the burning on the soles of your feet when walking. I'm guessing you've already read about burning feet syndrome - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17773-burning-feet-syndrome. You mentioned you have had 13 spine surgeries. Do you think the burning pain may be related to nerve entrapment/damage in the spine? There is another discussion started by @jenniferhunter that might be worth checking out to see if it might be an option.
-- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
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1 ReactionWelcome @aprilsecond40, Have you been diagnosed with neuropathy or another condition that affects only the left foot?
@gently Thanks! I don't think I could survive without Biofreeze. I use both the spray and gel. I have it with me wherever I go, except on walks. I use it on my low back, glutes, thighs and soles of my feet 3X/day. Yes, it's no cure, but it's how I keep going all day! Everyone with muscle and/or nerve pain should try it. It's a tiny green (or clear) miracle!
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3 ReactionsI have had two major (that's what the doc said) surgeries to correct significant lumbar stenosis and other deteriorations in that area. The chronic severe pain and the distinct probability of the loosing the ability to walk and balance left me little choice other than surgery since no other modality could provide the physical alterations needed. My experience has taught me that the pain and other discomforts of these difficulties can manifest in many seemingly unrelated areas from the spine and below. At the present I am about 6 months out from my last surgery and I still require narcotics. At times I am not sure if this severe discomfort is from the healing (can take about a year), the issue not being quite solved yet, or the original or even a new deterioration (and believe me I check with my surgeon). What I am getting at is this; Your 13 spinal surgeries opens a whole host of pain causing possibilities. Maybe you have considered that walking triggers and increases the feet "burning" indicating that something in your spinal column is the cause and being compromised to the point of the symptoms you describe can perhaps lead to further difficulties. Anyways with just my two surgeries some of my own procedure questions were not easily answered, so with 13 surgeries I hope you have a really good team. Hope everything works out well for you.
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1 Reaction@scampano3 I wondered if it would make a persons feet less able to sense the ground altering their balance. If you use it before your walk, how long would it be effective on your feet.
@gently No, Biofreeze does not have any negative effect on my walking, but it doesn't last that long. By the time I get to a mile, my feet hurt pretty bad! On the other hand, it lasts for hours on the rest of my body. I apply it 3X/day from my back to my ankles. I only put it on my feet before I walk for exercise.