Shooting Pain Down Your Leg? Your Foot Might Hold the Answer

That searing, electric pain that travels from your lower back, down your leg, and into your foot is unmistakable. For millions, this is the painful reality of sciatica.

While the problem often starts with a pinched nerve in the spine, the most frustrating and persistent symptoms frequently show up in your feet and ankles. Living with this kind of chronic pain can be isolating, but understanding the connection is the first step toward finding real relief. In this blog, Edmond Norman Foot & Ankle will help you learn more about what you’re up against…and a modern, non-invasive treatment that’s proven quite effective when other options fail.

The Sciatic Nerve: Your Body’s Superhighway

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in your body. Think of it as a major superhighway for signals, running from your lower back all the way down to your toes.

• When a herniated disk or bone spur in your spine creates a “traffic jam” on the highway, the signals get disrupted.
• This traffic jam is what causes the radiating pain, numbness, and weakness known as sciatica.

When a “Back Problem” Shows Up in Your Foot

Because the sciatic nerve’s pathway ends in your foot, this is often where the symptoms become most disruptive. Your podiatrist is an expert in diagnosing and treating these specific lower-extremity issues.

Key Symptoms to Watch For Include…

• Burning or Tingling: A persistent “pins and needles” sensation or burning in the sole of your foot or toes.
• Weakness: Difficulty lifting your foot or a feeling that your ankle might “give out.”
• Foot Drop: This is a significant sign where you are unable to lift the front of your foot, causing your toes to drag as you walk.
• Numbness: A loss of sensation in parts of your foot, which can be dangerous as you might not feel small cuts or injuries.

Modern Treatment With Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)

Biomechanical assessments, custom orthotics, and specialized footwear can all make a difference, and they’re the standard options for early treatment. But for those suffering from chronic sciatic pain that hasn’t improved with other treatments, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) is an excellent option.

• A tiny electrode, as thin as a hair, is placed near the affected nerve in your lower leg or ankle, right where the pain signals are causing problems.
• The device sends gentle, imperceptible pulses that calm the overactive nerve and block pain signals from reaching the brain.

PNS is a targeted, drug-free approach that addresses the pain where you feel it, helping to provide lasting relief and improve your mobility.

Finding the Right Path Forward

Living with chronic sciatic pain is a challenge, but it’s not one you need to face alone. If shooting leg and foot pain is impacting your daily life, it’s time to explore all of your options. An evaluation with a podiatrist can determine if your foot symptoms are linked to sciatica and if a modern treatment like PNS could be right for you. Bill Buksh, DPM, works alongside his expert medical staff at Edmond Norman Foot & Ankle to offer superior podiatric care to anyone in need. Pairing thorough, comprehensive remedies for common podiatric conditions with unique specialty treatments for nerve pain, he and his team would be delighted to treat your feet. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.