Vitamin B12 Injections for the Foot and Ankle
Vitamin B12 Injections for Peripheral Neuropathy: Evidence, Benefits & Timeline
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition caused by damage to the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as burning pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of sensation especially in the feet and legs. This nerve damage may result from diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune disease, chemotherapy, alcohol or drug misuse, and other causes.
Increasingly in the UK and worldwide, Vitamin B12 injections are being used as part of neuropathy treatment to support nerve repair and improve neurological function.
✅ Why Vitamin B12 Matters for Nerve Health
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential water-soluble vitamin required for:
Myelin repair (protective coating around nerves)
Neurotransmitter function
DNA synthesis & cellular repair
Red blood cell formation & oxygen delivery
The body cannot manufacture B12, and deficiency is common especially among older adults, vegans/vegetarians, people with absorption disorders, and those taking drugs like metformin.
Up to 15–20% of adults have low or borderline B12 levels, and deficiency is a known cause of neuropathy.
💉 B12 Injections & Neuropathy: How They Help
When administered through injections injected intramuscularly and perineurally (near the affected nerve areas) Vitamin B12 supports:
1. Nerve Regeneration & Myelin Repair
Helps regrow damaged nerves
Restores myelin sheath integrity
Improves nerve signal transmission and function
Research:
Mecobalamin (active B12) improves nerve regeneration and reduces neuropathic symptoms (Cheng et al., 2020; Sun et al., 2019).
A Japanese clinical review showed significant electrophysiological improvement in neuropathy patients treated with methylcobalamin (Tokuda et al., 2018).
2. Reduces Inflammation & Oxidative Stress
Chronic inflammation contributes to nerve damage. Vitamin B12 demonstrates anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
B12 reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in nerve cells (Yang et al., 2021).
3. Enhances Circulation & Nerve Oxygenation
B12 supports red blood cell production & blood flow, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged nerves.
🕒 How Long Do B12 Injections Take to Work?
Response time varies based on severity, cause, and duration of neuropathy.
1–4 weeks Reduced tingling & burning for some patients
2–3 months Better sensation, improved balance, reduced pain
6 months+ Nerve repair and long-term function improvement
Severe or long-standing neuropathy may require ongoing treatment.
Evidence:
Systematic review shows B12 significantly improves diabetic neuropathy symptoms vs placebo (Hasan et al., 2019).
Vitamin B12 as a treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain (Julian et al., 2020) systematic review.
🧪 Clinical Studies on B12 & Neuropathy
“Methylcobalamin: A Potential Vitamin of Pain Killer”
– PMC article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3888748/
This review covers methylcobalamin’s analgesic and nerve-repair effects in diabetic neuropathy and other neuropathic pain states.“Efficacy and Safety of Mecobalamin on Peripheral Neuropathy”
– PubMed / systematic review article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32716261/
Concludes that mecobalamin (alone or combined) may improve clinical outcomes and nerve conduction in peripheral neuropathy.“Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Diabetic Neuropathy”
– MDPI article: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/2/395
Investigates daily methylcobalamin in type 2 diabetes neuropathy patients with B12 deficiency.“Vitamin B12 as a Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathic Pain”
– PMC article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7468922/
A systematic review of B12 in peripheral neuropathic pain and post-herpetic neuralgia.“Association of vitamin B12 deficiency in people with type 2 diabetes on metformin and diabetic peripheral neuropathy”
– Nature article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81631-8
Shows prolonged metformin use correlates with lower B12 and more severe diabetic neuropathy.Ultrasound-Guided Perineural Vitamin B12 Injection for the Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Report
The patient showed improvement of muscle power within 2 weeks. Full muscle power was regained after 3 months. There was no adverse symptom after ultrasound-guided perineural vitamin B12 injection. Ultrasound-guided perineural vitamin B12 has the advantage of precise delivery of high-dose vitamin B12 directly around the nerve (the results need to be viewed in the context that this was only a case study).
🔍 Signs You May Have Low Vitamin B12
Tingling or numbness in the feet
Burning or stabbing nerve pain
Fatigue, and weakness while walking
Balance problems
Blood testing is recommended before treatment where possible.
⚠️ Safety & Possible Side Effects
B12 injections are generally very safe and well-tolerated.
Side effects are rare and mild:
Mild soreness and bruising at injection site
Headache or dizziness (rare)
Allergic reactions are extremely rare
People with kidney disease or cobalt allergy should seek medical advice from GP before treatment.
👨⚕️ When to Seek Professional Guidance
Consult a healthcare professional if:
You suspect B12 deficiency
You experience neuropathy symptoms in the feet
You want to explore B12 nerve-targeted injection programmes
B12 injections in the foot and ankle are most effective when part of a comprehensive neuropathy care plan, including nutrition, lifestyle, and medical support.
⭐ Key Takeaway
B12 injections can help relieve neuropathy symptoms and support nerve repair, especially when deficiency is present. Evidence suggests benefits in diabetic neuropathy, nerve compression injuries and other-related neuropathy cases.
Early diagnosis and treatment give the best long-term outcomes.
🦶 Neuropathy Treatment Pricing
(Vitamin B12 Injection Programme)
🩺 Initial Consultation — £65
A mandatory assessment to ensure treatment safety and suitability, including:
Neurological & vascular foot assessment
Medication & medical history review
Screening for B12 deficiency risks
Personalised treatment plan
📌 Required for all patients before beginning treatment.
💉 Vitamin B12 Injection Therapy — £250 per session
Targeted Vitamin B12 injection ultrasound guided directly into the foot & ankle and lower-leg muscle to support:
✅ Nerve healing & regeneration
✅ Reduction in burning, tingling & numbness and balance
✅ Improved blood flow & nerve oxygenation
✅ Myelin repair & improved nerve signalling
📅 Recommended treatment: 2 injections, 4 weeks apart
📍 Book Your Treatment
Early treatment improves outcomes, if you are experiencing burning, tingling, numbness or electric-shock sensations in your feet, we can help, click on Book Appointment.
