What are the best treatments for neuropathy of the feet?

In most cases, there is no single, curative treatment for neuropathy of the feet.

For the most common neuropathies affecting the feet, typical treatments include:

• treating any contributing condition – For example

o diabetic neuropathy – good control of blood sugar can reduce the chance it will worsen (though tight blood sugar control will not necessarily improve symptoms once neuropathy is present)

o inflammatory or autoimmune neuropathy – treatment targeting the immune system and anti-inflammatory medications can improve symptoms or even eliminate them in people with conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or neuropathy due to vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation)

o vitamin deficiency – treatment with supplemental vitamin B12 deficiency can halt progression or even reverse symptoms of related neuropathy

o thyroid deficiency – treatment with supplemental thyroid hormone usually eliminates related neuropathy symptoms

• Treatments to reduce pain or other symptoms, such as

o gabapentin or pregabalin

o amitriptyline or other tricyclic antidepressants

o duloxetine

o many others (including carbamazepine, tramadol and baclofen)

• Treatments to reduce the impact or complications of neuropathy, including:

o Physical therapy

o Bracing, splints, assistive devices, shoe inserts

o Proper foot care

In most people with neuropathy involving the feet, a combination of 2 or more of these approaches is most helpful.