Notes from our neurologists on what causes pain and what testing can actually tell you.
If both feet feel dull and burn at night, it's important to distinguish peripheral neuropathy from lumbar nerve compression. This article explains differences in symptom distribution, the role of nerve conduction and EMG studies, and how management differs depending on the underlying cause.
ReadWhen the front of your shoes suddenly feels tight and the inside of the big toe joint keeps rubbing, it is easy to think that only the shape of the toe has changed. Hallux valgus is a progressive forefoot deformity that alters the alignment of not only the big toe but also the first metatarsal and the sesamoid bones beneath it.(Hecht Paul J et al., 2014)
ReadThe two conditions are named according to where the pain occurs. Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside. They are simply named after sports and can occur even in people who have never held a racket. They are more common with everyday activities that involve repetitive hand use, such as housework or working with tools.
ReadIf burning between your toes eases once you take your shoes off, the interdigital nerve—not the plantar fascia—is more likely involved. This nerve runs between the metatarsal heads in the forefoot and gets repeatedly compressed by tight-fitting shoes.
ReadWaking up at night with numb hands does not automatically point to carpal tunnel syndrome. The pattern of affected fingers, whether symptoms extend to the little finger, and whether moving your neck changes the sensation all matter. The right treatment depends on where the nerve is compressed and how much damage has occurred.
ReadIf the inner side of your heel hurts most with your very first steps in the morning, the problem likely starts where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. If you also feel numbness, burning, or reduced sensation in the sole, the ankle, spine, or peripheral nerves need to be evaluated as well.
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