Peripheral Neuropathy:
A Podiatrist’s Perspective as a Chemotherapy Patient
Written by: Tanita Rodman
Podiatrist BPodM (UWA)
Tanita has been working as a podiatrist in Perth for the last 12 years and has a wealth of experience in all areas of podiatry with particular interest in managing painful and recurrent ingrown toenails, corns and callus. Tanita is passionate about building patient rapport, whilst supporting and educating her patients on all aspects of foot health. Tanita has gained a wealth of knowledge over the years from working with experienced podiatrists and a podiatric surgeon, and has enjoyed assisting in theatre on surgical podiatry cases
I have lost count of how many times I have been asked about peripherally neuropathy. It is just one of the many questions you get asked before every chemo session. As a podiatrist going through chemotherapy for breast cancer, I know all about nerve damage and what it can mean for your feet!
My explanation of Peripheral Neuropathy
I always use the explanation that nerves are like electrical cables and your brain is the master switchboard. Chemotherapy can cause damage to those electrical cables (nerves) so they no longer send the correct signal back to your brain. The nerves furtherest away are often the ones which get damaged first (peripheral nerves).
Depending on how much damage is caused to these cables (nerves) the symptoms you experience will be different. Burning, tingling, numbness and loss of coordination are common symptoms in the feet.
As more damage occurs there may not be enough working electrical cables (nerves) left to send a correct signal back to the brain. It is not easy for the body to create new electrical cables (nerves) and so the damage can be permanent or take a long time to recover.
What we do in Podiatry
We have a few special tests for checking feet for peripheral neuropathy.
- A monofilament applies 10g of pressure to check for light touch (it looks like facing fishing line)
- Vibration testing: We can use a tuning fork for vibration perception
- Tendon Reflex testing
A Podiatrist can also:
- Review Footwear
- Manage and offload high-pressure areas
- Can provide toenail and skin care when needed
Podiatry Tips
- Wear comfortable and protective shoes
- Avoid going barefoot
- Feel and check your feet after every shower: check for any injuries (cuts and blisters)
It is important to tell your care team if you have any concerns or symptoms.
For more information:
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. For specific medical guidance, please consult your healthcare provider.
If you want more information on the SCOUT Localization system, please ask your surgeon or your treating team. They can provide detailed insights and answer any specific questions you may have about this innovative technology and how it may benefit your treatment plan. Your healthcare team is always the best resource for personalized and up-to-date information.
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Breast Cancer Research Center – WA aims to support and educate breast cancer patients. For a specific pamphlet, ask our staff at your next appointment or download it from our website.
