Real Patients, Real Relief: Four Stories of Overcoming Chronic Nerve Pain

Chronic nerve pain in the feet and legs can be lonely. You’re often told it’s something “you just have to live with,” leaving you to endure the burning, tingling, and sleepless nights.

But what if there was a solution?

At Edmond Norman Foot & Ankle, we specialize in advanced peripheral nerve surgery, offering hope and real relief to patients who thought they were out of options. These are not just procedures; they are life-changing solutions. Here are the stories of four patients who chose to fight their chronic pain…and won!

From “Stinging Nettles” to Peaceful Steps: Robert’s Story

• The Problem: For Robert, nighttime was a battle.
  • He described the feeling in his feet as “like walking on stinging nettles,” a constant, agonizing sensation that forced him to take Tylenol PM up to three times a night just to get some sleep.
• The Treatment: After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Buksh identified the source of the pain as nerve compression.
  •  A nerve decompression surgery was performed on his left foot to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves, allowing them to function normally again.
• The Result: The change was immediate and profound.
  • Robert was walking the next day, and, within two weeks of his surgery, he was completely off sleep aids. No more stinging, no more trouble sleeping, and no more trouble walking!

Ending Daily Aches: Mr. Kelly’s Journey

• The Problem: Following a back injury, Mr. Kelly developed debilitating nerve pain in his right leg and foot, even though he was not diabetic.
  • He experienced daily “pins and needles, heat,” and a pain level that started at a 6 or 7 in the morning and escalated to an 8.5 by the end of the day. Oral medications had stopped working.
• The Treatment: Mr. Kelly underwent a peripheral nerve decompression procedure.
  • This type of surgery is designed to release nerves that have become entrapped or compressed by surrounding tissue, which can often occur after trauma or other injuries.
• The Result: Just three weeks after his surgery, Mr. Kelly reported that all of his pain had “subsided nearly completely.”
  • He was able to walk comfortably just a few days after the procedure, finally finding relief from the daily pain that had plagued him for so long.

Back in the Saddle: From a Limp to Biking Again

• The Problem: A female patient came to our office with pain from what she thought was just a bone spur.
  • The spur, however, was aggravating a nearby nerve, causing a painful limp that made it impossible for her to enjoy her passion for biking and exercise.
• The Treatment: Instead of a “bigger” or more invasive surgery, Dr. Buksh performed a targeted, minimally invasive nerve surgery.
  • This allowed him to directly address the nerve being irritated.
• The Result: The procedure was “super easy.” She was able to put weight on her foot quickly and now has zero pain.
  •  Most importantly, she is back to biking and moving freely, having avoided a much more complex and difficult recovery!

Climbing the Ladder to Relief: Bobby’s Tarsal Tunnel Release

• The Problem: As a professional who spent his days walking on ladders, Bobby developed excruciating pain on the top of his foot and in his arch.
  •  His pain level was a constant 10 out of 10.
• The Treatment: Bobby was diagnosed with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition where a key nerve is pinched in the ankle.
  • He underwent a Tarsal Tunnel Release, a surgical procedure that opens up this channel to relieve the pressure on the nerve.
• The Result: The relief was dramatic. Bobby’s pain dropped from a 10 to a 1.
  • He was walking just two days later, and after three weeks, his stitches were out and he was back to work, ready to climb the ladder again without pain.

The Takeaway

You do not have to accept chronic nerve pain as your reality. With an accurate diagnosis and advanced surgical techniques, real and lasting relief is possible!

Bill Buksh, DPM, works alongside his expert medical staff at Edmond Norman Foot & Ankle to offer superior podiatric care. Pairing comprehensive remedies for common podiatric conditions with unique specialty treatments for nerve pain, he would be delighted to treat your feet. Contact us to schedule your appointment today!