What is a Peripheral Nerve?
Nerves run throughout the body, carrying messages for movement
and sensation. The nervous system is divided into two parts
- the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
The central nervous system lies in the "center" of
the body and is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral
nervous system extends out from the central nervous system to
the extremities such as the hands and feet.
Peripheral Nerve Problems
Certain areas of the body are "tighter" than others,
making it more difficult for nerves to travel freely. In these
areas, nerve compression can result, characterized by numbness,
tingling or chronic pain. Areas of tightness can be in the groin,
hands, feet or legs. One of the most common types of compression
is carpal tunnel syndrome. Factors leading to nerve compression
include injury, lifestyle or another condition known as diabetic
neuropathy. In many diabetics, the nerves supplying the extremities
of the body swell and stiffen, leading to the same symptoms as
nerve compression. This condition is known as diabetic neuropathy.
For some patients the pain and numbness from diabetic neuropathy
is treatable, but not every patient is a candidate for surgery.
Neuromas and Morton's Neuroma
When a nerve is cut, the piece of nerve that is beyond the cut
point eventually dies, however, the cut end of nerve will send
out multiple sprouts in the direction of the nerve growth factor
in all directions and eventually cluster and form a knot of nerve
fibres. This eventually leads to the formation of a neuroma.
If it is in a place on your foot where you put a lot of pressure,
it will become very painful. Morton's Neuroma is another type
of peripheral nerve problem in the foot. The pain is caused by
the repetitive compression of the common plantar digital nerve.
This nerve lies between the heads of the metatarsal bones. Consequently,
the neuroma that develops is not a true neuroma, but rather a
manifestation of chronic nerve compression. |