Possible nerve damage from burn?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on my left foot from a grease fire. I was treated at the hospital and the open wounds are healing so that they want to release me. But I am still having pain in the arch of my foot from walking and even sitting. My foot swells whenever I am on it for too long but they just tell me the pain is subjective. Is there anything I can do to help treat this or is it permanent. My job (patient transporter) requires me to be on my feet at least 4-5 hours straight. What should I do to get better?

Dear Denise: There is no cause of concern at this time. The symptoms you have described should resolve with time as your foot heals. 3rd degree burns cause significant tissue damage, so it will take some time to recover. The pain and swelling  you are experiencing is associated with inflammation of the damaged tissue. Among the damaged tissue are blood vessels which would regulate the fluids. Th damaged blood vessels are unable to adequately regulate fluid thus swelling occurs. Once these vessels have healed the swelling will resolve.