Common foot & ankle concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Diabetic Neuropathy
Nerve damage in the feet from diabetes
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet from long-term high blood sugar, producing numbness, tingling, or burning, and increasing the risk of foot wounds. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Diabetic neuropathy is one of many foot & ankle conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Treatment centers on blood-sugar control, nerve-pain medication when needed, and protective foot care. Surgery does not fix neuropathy.
- Regular podiatric foot exams catch small problems before they become ulcers: the single most important step for protecting numb feet.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet from long-term high blood sugar, producing numbness, tingling, or burning, and increasing the risk of foot wounds. Symptoms usually develop gradually, starting in the toes and moving up the feet, so regular foot exams matter even before you notice a problem.
Diabetic neuropathy is managed, not operated on. Care centers on blood-sugar control, which slows progression; medication for nerve pain (typically gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine, coordinated with your prescribing physician) when burning or tingling interferes with sleep and daily life; and protective foot care: daily self-checks, well-fitted or diabetic footwear, and regular podiatric exams. Because numbness can hide small injuries, surveillance is the podiatrist's most important job: catching blisters, pressure spots, and early wounds before they become ulcers.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose diabetic neuropathy, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Inside the foot & ankle.
The foot and ankle have 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and over 100 ligaments and tendons. The plantar fascia spans the bottom of the foot, the Achilles tendon anchors the calf to the heel, and the ankle is a hinge that handles every step you take. Most foot and ankle problems trace back to overload, alignment, or footwear that doesn't match the way your foot is built.
Symptoms and causes of diabetic neuropathy
Common symptoms
- Numbness or reduced sensation in the feet
- Burning, tingling, or shooting pain
- A feeling of walking on cotton
- Trouble sensing temperature or position
Common causes
- Long-term elevated blood sugar
- Duration and severity of diabetes
- Smoking and elevated cholesterol
- Kidney disease related to diabetes
How we diagnose diabetic neuropathy
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for diabetic neuropathy typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Sensory testing: monofilament and vibration testing to map how much protective sensation remains
- Skin, nail, and circulation check: finding pressure spots and early wounds that numbness can hide
- A written plan covering symptom control, footwear, and foot-care surveillance, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat diabetic neuropathy at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Managing the neuropathy
Slowing progression and controlling symptoms, coordinated with your primary care physician or endocrinologist.
- Blood-sugar control: the single most important treatment
- Nerve-pain medication (gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine) when needed
- Daily foot self-checks for blisters, redness, and cracks
- Diabetic or extra-depth footwear with protective inserts
Surgical care
When neededProtecting your feet
Numb feet are vulnerable feet. Podiatric surveillance prevents the complications that lead to hospitalization.
- Scheduled podiatric foot exams and risk assessment
- Professional nail and callus care, never OTC acid pads
- Early treatment of any wound, blister, or pressure spot
- Monitoring for deformity and Charcot changes that raise ulcer risk
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Foot & ankle care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our foot & ankle specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a foot & ankle specialist.
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your foot & ankle recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on measuring how much sensation remains, easing nerve symptoms, and setting up a daily foot-care routine.
- Clear do/don't guidance for protecting numb feet
- Nerve-pain control as needed, with no ice or heating pads on numb feet
- Footwear check and fitting for protective shoes or inserts
- Follow-up scheduled to check your progress
- Weeks 2 to 8
Building the routine
Symptom control is fine-tuned while daily foot checks and protective footwear become habit.
- Medication adjusted with your prescribing physician
- Balance and gait training with physical therapy when unsteadiness is a problem
- Professional nail and callus care
- Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Neuropathy is managed for the long term, so the focus stays on protecting your feet and catching problems early.
- Scheduled foot exams based on your risk level
- Daily self-checks for blisters, redness, and cracks
- Prompt visits for any wound, swelling, or change in foot shape
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Foot and ankle considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the foot & ankle. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our foot & ankle doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our foot & ankle specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for diabetic neuropathy starts here
Don't let diabetic neuropathy be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. From symptom control to protective footwear and ongoing foot surveillance, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a foot & ankle specialist in Los Angeles.
Common diabetic neuropathy questions
- Diagnosis starts with your history and a focused foot exam, including monofilament and vibration testing to measure how much protective sensation remains. We coordinate with your primary care physician or endocrinologist on the underlying diabetes and order additional testing when the picture isn't typical. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear assessment and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a foot & ankle specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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