Common Causes Of Foot Nerve Pain

If you have a burning, tingling, stabbing pain in your foot or leg and are uncertain of what is happening, you probably have a nerve problem. When nerve damage progresses to numbness (and you feel nothing) you run the risk of minor injuries that can, if left untreated, rupture and develop into diabetic foot ulcers that can cause gangrene and, in severe cases, may force the foot to be amputated.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause foot and leg pain due to compression of the posterior tibial nerve or plantar nerve at the back of the calf. This rare disease can cause:

1. Severe burning pain
2. Increased skin temperature
3. Noticeable redness of the toes and soles. 
4. Burning or tingling in the area, most commonly when walking. Pain in the soles of the feet may be caused by long-term nerve stimulation.

Nerve damage caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis may also cause nerve pain in the feet. Foot nerve pain may be due to damage or malfunction of the nerve itself or pressure on the nerve caused by other underlying diseases.

Studies have shown that metabolic changes caused by diabetes can lead to edema, which in turn can put additional pressure on the nerves. This type of nerve damage associated with diabetes can also cause changes in the shape of the feet and the toes and can cause nerve pain in the toes.