Brief Answer:
Clearly need an examination to rule out vascular vs. neurological issues

Detailed Answer:
Good evening and thank you for your question on this network.

It appears that you've seen at least 1 physician who recommended that a neurologist be consulted in short order unless things get better. However, have other problems been looked at that can also cause swelling and numbness in the feet for a man in their 50's? Entities such as congestion in the heart? Reduction in filtration capacity of the kidneys? Vascular issues that could compromise blood circulation in the lower extremities and cause a "backup into the feet and ankle areas? Metabolic issues that could be present such as gout, low protein stores in the body or low functioning thyroid hormones.

If these problems haven't been clearly ruled out as possible contributors to your condition then, I would suggest a conversation with your doctor to get some ideas as to what has been accomplished definitively by way of laboratory and diagnostic testing.

Now, if after all this is accomplished the balls of the feet are still in this numb and swollen state then, I would agree that a neurological consultation is going to be valuable in order to rule out some form of peripheral neuropathy of either a primary or secondary nature. The neurologist would likely wish to start with a good physical examination and then, consider some of the metabolic tests I've already mentioned as well as adding things such as serum Vit. B12, serum Vit. D, ANA, ESR, C-reactive protein, and Hemoglobin A1C.

I would also consider obtaining an MRI of the lumbar spine once all labs come back and are shown to be negative. If on the other hand some tests come back positive for a problem then, we need to address that problem and see the outcome.

In the mean time you may get short term relief by elevating your feet and legs (even while you sleep) on a small platform of some sort. You can also do ACE wraps of the feet and add COMPRESSION forces in order to get fluid moving back toward the heart. You really don't want things to stagnate below the knee since that could lead to the formation of DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSES (blood clots in the legs) and the danger there is that something may break off and head north to the lunbs causing a pulmonary embolus...bad thing....or worse yet find its way to the brain and cause a STROKE.....potentially even WORSE.

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