Peripheral Neuropathy: A Guide for Lake County Seniors

If you've noticed numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your feet, you're not alone. Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of Americans, and it's especially common among adults over 55—a significant portion of Lake County's population.

At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute, we help patients from Mount Dora, Tavares, Eustis, and throughout Lake County manage neuropathy and protect their feet from its complications.

Here's what you need to know.

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord. When these nerves are damaged, they can't properly send signals between your body and brain.

The feet are often affected first because they have the longest nerves in the body—and the longest distance for signals to travel.

Types of nerve fibers affected:

• Sensory nerves - Detect touch, temperature, pain
• Motor nerves - Control muscle movement
• Autonomic nerves - Control sweating, blood flow

Most neuropathy in feet involves sensory nerves, but motor and autonomic involvement can occur.

Common Symptoms

Early Warning Signs

• Tingling or "pins and needles" sensation
• Numbness starting in toes
• Feeling like wearing socks when you're barefoot
• Heightened sensitivity to touch
• Burning or electric-shock-like pain

Progressive Symptoms

• Numbness spreading up the foot
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Muscle weakness in feet and ankles
• Difficulty walking on uneven surfaces
• Sharp, stabbing pain (especially at night)

Advanced Symptoms

• Complete loss of feeling in feet
• Foot deformities from muscle weakness
• Wounds that don't heal
• Infections without pain warning
• Charcot foot (bone destruction)

What Causes Neuropathy?

Diabetes (Most Common Cause)

Diabetic neuropathy affects approximately 50% of people with diabetes. High blood sugar damages nerves over time.

Risk factors: - Longer duration of diabetes - Poor blood sugar control - High blood pressure - Overweight - Smoking

Lake County consideration: Our area has a higher-than-average senior population, and many seniors have diabetes or prediabetes.

Other Causes

Metabolic conditions: - Prediabetes (can cause neuropathy before diabetes diagnosis) - Kidney disease - Thyroid disorders - Vitamin B12 deficiency

Lifestyle factors: - Excessive alcohol use - Poor nutrition - Sedentary lifestyle

Medications: - Certain chemotherapy drugs - Some antibiotics - HIV medications - Statin drugs (rare)

Other medical conditions: - Autoimmune diseases - Infections (shingles, Lyme disease) - Hereditary conditions - Compression injuries

Idiopathic: In about 30% of cases, no cause is identified.

Why Foot Care Is Critical with Neuropathy

When you can't feel your feet properly, small problems become big problems quickly.

The Danger Cascade

1. Minor injury occurs (blister, cut, stubbed toe)
2. No pain signal alerts you to the problem
3. Continued walking worsens the injury
4. Infection develops without obvious symptoms
5. Tissue damage spreads rapidly
6. Serious complications including potential amputation

This is preventable with proper foot care and monitoring.

Specific Risks

Wounds: - Cuts and blisters go unnoticed - Slow healing from poor circulation - Infections develop quickly

Pressure injuries: - Calluses become ulcers - Ill-fitting shoes cause damage - Seams and wrinkles injure skin

Burns: - Can't feel hot water or surfaces - Florida's hot pavement is especially dangerous - Heating pads cause burns

Falls: - Poor balance from nerve damage - Can't feel foot position - Increased fracture risk

Daily Foot Care Routine

Every person with neuropathy should follow this routine:

Morning Check

Inspect your feet daily. Use a mirror for the bottoms or ask a family member to help.

Look for: - Cuts, blisters, or scratches - Redness or discoloration - Swelling - Calluses or corns - Ingrown toenails - Cracks between toes - Changes in foot shape

One in three foot ulcers could be prevented with daily inspection.

Proper Washing

• Use lukewarm water (test with elbow, not feet)
• Mild soap
• Gently dry between toes
• Apply moisturizer to tops and bottoms (not between toes)

Nail Care

• Trim nails straight across
• File edges gently
• Don't cut into corners
• Consider professional podiatric care for nail trimming

Sock Selection

• White or light-colored (to show blood stains)
• Moisture-wicking materials
• Seamless or inside-out to avoid friction
• No tight bands at top
• Change daily

Footwear Rules

• Always wear shoes - even indoors
• Check shoes before wearing - feel inside for objects, rough spots
• Break in new shoes gradually - few hours at a time
• Proper fit - measured by professional, room for toes
• Medicare diabetic shoes - may be covered (ask us)

Florida-Specific Considerations

Living in Lake County presents unique challenges:

Hot Surfaces

Florida pavement can exceed 150°F in summer.

• Never walk barefoot outdoors
• Pool decks can be scorching
• Beach sand burns feet
• Hot car floors are hazardous

Swimming and Water

• Inspect feet before and after pool/lake
• Dry feet thoroughly after swimming
• Water shoes protect from rough surfaces
• Watch for pool chemical skin reactions

Air Conditioning

• AC can dry out skin
• Use moisturizer regularly
• Don't use space heaters on feet

Snowbird Season

If you split time between Florida and up north: - Consistent foot care routine in both locations - Don't walk barefoot in either home - Keep podiatrist informed of travel schedule

Treatment Options

Managing Underlying Causes

For diabetic neuropathy: - Blood sugar control is paramount - HbA1c target: typically under 7% - Consistent medication compliance - Regular monitoring

For other causes: - Vitamin supplementation (if deficient) - Alcohol cessation - Medication adjustment (with physician) - Treating underlying conditions

Pain Management

Medications: - Gabapentin (Neurontin) - Pregabalin (Lyrica) - Duloxetine (Cymbalta) - Topical capsaicin - Lidocaine patches

Non-medication options: - MLS laser therapy - TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) - Physical therapy - Acupuncture (some find helpful)

Protecting Your Feet

At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute:

• Regular diabetic foot exams - Catch problems early
• Custom orthotics - Reduce pressure points
• Therapeutic shoes - Medicare-covered for many
• Callus and corn care - Professional removal
• Nail care - Safe trimming for thick/curved nails
• Wound care - If injuries occur
• Education - Empowering you to protect yourself

Warning Signs: When to Seek Immediate Care

Call our office immediately if you notice:

• New wound or cut on your foot
• Color changes - black, blue, or very red areas
• Increasing pain (if you can feel it)
• Swelling that's new or worsening
• Drainage or odor from any foot area
• Fever with any foot symptoms
• Red streaks traveling up from foot
• Warm, red, swollen areas

Don't wait to see if it gets better. Hours matter with diabetic foot infections.

Living Well with Neuropathy

Neuropathy doesn't have to mean giving up your active lifestyle.

Safe Activities

• Walking - With proper footwear, excellent exercise
• Swimming - Non-weight bearing, good for fitness
• Cycling - Low impact, check foot position
• Chair exercises - Strengthen muscles safely
• Tai chi - Improves balance (highly recommended)

Activities Requiring Caution

• Dancing - Check feet after for any injuries
• Gardening - Wear sturdy shoes, watch for tools
• Golf - Good activity, proper shoes essential
• Pickleball - Popular here, but lateral movements increase fall risk

Local Resources

Lake County offers: - Senior centers with seated exercise classes - Pool facilities with warm water therapy - Walking groups (with appropriate footwear) - The Villages has extensive programs nearby

Your Care Team

Managing neuropathy effectively requires teamwork:

• Your primary care physician - Overall diabetes/health management
• Your podiatrist - Foot-specific care and monitoring
• Your endocrinologist - If diabetes is complex
• Your pharmacist - Medication questions

We coordinate with your other providers to ensure comprehensive care.

Medicare and Diabetic Foot Care

Medicare Part B covers: - Therapeutic shoes and inserts (for qualified diabetics) - Diabetic foot exams - Nail care for certain conditions - Wound care when needed

Ask us about coverage for your specific situation.

Serving Lake County Seniors

At Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute, we understand the unique needs of our Lake County community:

• Patient, thorough appointments - We don't rush
• Clear communication - No medical jargon
• Coordination with caregivers - Family members welcome
• Accessibility - Accommodations available

We see patients from: - Mount Dora - Tavares - Eustis - Leesburg - Lady Lake - The Villages area - All of Lake County

Take Control of Your Foot Health

Peripheral neuropathy is serious but manageable. The key is:

1. Daily foot inspections - Make it routine
2. Proper footwear - Always, even at home
3. Regular podiatric care - Every 2-3 months for high-risk patients
4. Prompt attention to any changes
5. Blood sugar control - If diabetic

Your feet have carried you through a lifetime. With proper care, they'll carry you many more years.

Central Florida Foot & Ankle Institute Neuropathy Care for Lake County Seniors

📞 Call: (407) 333-5050 🌐 Visit: FloridaFAI.com

Related Articles: - Diabetic Foot Care Guide - Senior Foot Health for Active Mount Dora Retirees - Custom Orthotics for Diabetic Feet