How can I minimize foot pain/burning during strenuous walking?

@rockon79 It's a long story. The short story is that I suffered permanent nerve damage when one of the screws (L5) in my back broke when I was on the elliptical trainer. When the screw broke, it dislodged the cadaver bone, cracked the L5 vertebra in half and severely pinched the L5 nerve down my legs, the left side worse than the right. When I had reconstructive surgery to remove all of the hardware and repeat the fusion with new hardware and brackets, the neuropathy started. That was in 2018. Today, the neuropathy is significantly worse. I've consulted with orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons at UCSF, The Mayo Clinic and Stanford Neuroscience Center. They all agree that my nerves have plenty of space from L3-S1 now. Since I have been cut open so many times now, not one surgeon wants to operate on me again unless it's 100% necessary. The neuropathy is a result of permanent nerve damage.

My advice would be to walk as far as you can without the pain you described. If you can do 2 miles that is great. If even that is very difficult, I would try another form of exercise. Mine is water aerobics. I can jog very vigorously for two hours without any pain which I could never do on land. When I broke a hip years ago, walking in the water was what I did in PT. You endure so much pain when walking - and do so much to avoid it - it is obvious that wallking now is not the pleasure it once was and sadly may never be again. I would never attempt the 6-7 mile hikes I once took up and down the mountain trails in Oregon - that is why I turned to the water.

Has anyone heard of or tried Laser Therapy?

@revdorth I bought a swim spa during COVID. I use it a lot but have never tried jogging. I can't swim anymore because of severe neck pain, but I still use the swim jets as resistance for walking. I'll try jogging in it. Thanks!

@scampano3 I am a stickler to understand why something is happening to me especially with such a life-altering issue as chronic pain. At times I can be "dumb as a post" which can make this a slow process. Quoting what you said "Today, the neuropathy is significantly worse". Since that is the case "something" MUST be presently and continuingly going wrong at this moment to make things worse. Even though they consider your nerve pain "permanent" does not rule out that it's intensity and severity can't be reduced, especially since THAT CAUSE is occurring which can make plausible it's discovery and possible treatment. I do sense some loss of hope in "reading between the lines" of your posts. Even in my case with just two spinal procedures and the promise of a relatively pain free spine, with the long time of misery before treatment, the long time of painful recovery, and on and on, I still flip-flop in my outlook. Anyway, if I were in your situation that's how I would look at the situation-if for nothing else but to keep some hope in mind.

Welcome @ascarbrough004, There have been a lot of discussions on laser therapy for neuropathy. Here's one you might find helpful:
-- Laser Therapy for Neuropathy: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/neuropathy-1/

Here's a search of Connect with links to other discussions and member comments on laser therapy for neuropathy - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/

How long have you had neuropathy? What symptoms are the most difficult for you to manage?

@rockon79 I can't argue with you. I do find it implausible that, no matter whether I'm talking to an orthopedic surgeon, a neurosurgeon, a general practitioner, or a podiatrist, etc..., they all tell me the same thing - that is, they don't know why it's getting worse, and there's nothing I can do about it. It does leave me scratching my head. I keep trying new things to temporarily relieve the pain, but I have no idea what to do to reverse the pain. In that regard, I am starting to feel a bit hopeless. On a brighter note, today, I put on my new Hoka Arahi 8 sneakers and walked 3 miles in just under 62 minutes. With my old Brooks and New Balance sneakers, the pain in my feet would become unbearable at about a mile. I'm taking them to Goodwill tomorrow. I am wearing nothing by Hoka's for the time being! There's some bit of hope!

@johnbishop Thanks, John. I've had it ever since a lumbar spine reconstructive fusion surgery in 2018. At that time, it was only the ball of the left foot. Today, it's the entire sole of the left foot, and two of my toes are now completely numb. On my right foot, it's just burning in the sole of the foot and toes, but there is no numbness yet. It only bothers me when I walk. It doesn't bother me when I'm sleeping, sitting, laying down. I will research the laser therapy immediately! I appreciate the feedback!

@scampano3 I get it about the sneaker thing and hope. Getting the physical plus of more helpful activity and a temporary psychological boost are both relatively rare and much needed in our situations. " that is, they don't know why it's getting worse, and there's nothing I can do about it." "I am starting to feel a bit hopeless" When you are told by the "experts" what I quoted above no wonder you feel that way! Although honesty is important, dashing any hope for a patient's pain relief is a very unprofessional and ignorant bedside manner! Keep in mind; that is only what your doctor thinks and is perhaps a window into his expertise and abilities not that of the entire medical profession dedicated to this condition. On another note-I just bought a couple pairs of Sketchers (of all things). Many I know rave about them and for me the support and comfort are amazing, Brooks are great and worth it if you find the right ones and New Balance are basically work horses. Anyway Sketchers-I don't believe that I bought them.

Maybe it's unrelated!
I have peripheral neuropathy now, but years ago I developed something in my feet. I could do a 5 hour mountain hike up to that point, but then I started developing a burning foot pain about 10-15 minutes into the start of the hike..very painful, and I was leading hikes...not good!
I did not have a formal diagnosis, but I began treating it like a "Mortons Neuroma".
I bought hiking boots (and running shoes) with a wide and deep toebox, I bought (over the counter), foam toe spacers and used them for 5 minutes 2x/ day. They separated the toes and I think brought better circulation. I also bought Dr Scholl's "BALL OF FOOT" inserts for the shoes/boots. I bought both in the foot section at the pharmacy. (Shopper Drug Mart). For awhile I did a warm/hot foot soak before bed, then did a foot massage for a minute or two. The pain went away and I contued for about a year. It hasn't come back but I now only wear my shoes/runners/ boots with plenty of space for toes to spread out, and about twice/ week, I wear the toe spacers for about 5
minutes. I think what was the most was the Dr Scholls "Ball of Foot" inserts. There are 2 types, one for runners/hiking boots and the other for ladies shoes. I'm avoiding ladies shoes unless a wedding etc,
I hope this helps as I think peripheral neuropathy and Mortons Neuroma are different problems, but entail burning pain.
That would be 11 years ago and I walked The Frances Camino in Spain after that ..750 kms, no burning no pain.