Nerve damage can be the result of a variety of conditions such as injuries, diabetic neuropathy, sciatica or a nerve entrapment. These conditions can lead to pain, burning and a feeling of walking on pins and needles in your feet. As a result, you may experience altered gait. If you believe you are suffering from nerve damage or experience pain or numbness while walking, contact your doctor.
Gait
Gait is the pattern of how you walk. Gait abnormalities are unusual and often uncontrollable changes in the way you walk. Abnormalities are generally caused by diseases or injury to the legs, feet, brain and spine. Abnormal gait can include a rigid posture, dragging your feet as you walk, foot drop or a distinctive waddling-like pattern as you walk. Gait abnormalities as the result of injury usually go away with time. If you experience persistent gait abnormalities, your doctor will like perform a neurological examination and screen you for possible medical conditions including diabetes. Gait abnormalities as the result of nerve damage may be treated with the use of physical therapy, leg braces, shoe inserts, exercising and activity modification. Having the support of your family or a therapist can often be helpful in dealing with gait abnormalities that occur with a related disorder or disease.
Sciatica
Leg pain caused by nerve damage -- usually sciatica -- can cause sharp, shooting pains that run from your lower back and buttocks down to your legs, calves and feet. This can alter your ability to walk normally and pain-free. Sciatica is caused by the compression of a nerve in your lower spine. This is often the result of a herniated disc in your back. Sciatica is most commonly felt in your legs and feet.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a disorder of your nerves that is directly caused by diabetes. Exposure to high blood glucose levels can cause nerve damage. The risk of developing nerve damage as the result of diabetes tends to increase with your age and how long you have been considered diabetic. Diabetic neuropathy typically causes pain, numbness or tingling in your feet and legs. This type of neuropathy can also be termed peripheral neuropathy and can cause loss of balance and coordination as you walk or try to perform daily tasks. Individuals with diabetic neuropathy may also be unaware if they have sustained an injury, due to lack of feeling in their feet and legs. For this reason, it is important for diabetics to make regular visits with a podiatrist.
Other Causes of Nerve Damage
Nerve damage can be the result of a variety of conditions. Mechanical overload as the result of obesity or working on your feet all day can create nerve damage. Neuropathies can also occur as the result of alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies and metal poisoning. Poor circulation or circulatory disorders -- including erthromelalgia -- can cause nerve damage to your feet. Having surgery or serve injuries to your lower extremities can lead to a condition called reflex sympathetic dystrophy which can lead to problems with walking. Nerve entrapments -- including tarsal tunnel syndrome -- can also create pain and burning while walking.
