What is neuroma?
A neuroma, sometimes called Morton’s neuroma, is a condition that causes the tissue surrounding your toes — particularly your third and fourth toes — to thicken and press on the nerves, causing pain. It’s often referred to as a pinched nerve or nerve tumor.
A neuroma affects more women than men, mostly because women’s shoes have higher heels and more pointed ends.
What causes a neuroma?
The cause of a neuroma is still unknown, but medical researchers identify several things that increase the risk of one developing. These include:
Foot shape
Flat and high-arched feet, bunions, and hammertoe can cause a neuroma because they cause unstable toe joints.
Foot injury
Injury can damage the nerves in the feet and cause the foot to swell.
Footwear
Tight-fitting shoes squeeze the toes together, and high-heeled shoes force the foot forward, pinching the nerves.
Lifestyle
Any activity that places the foot under regular or repeated stress can aggravate a neuroma.
Dr. Puthenpurakal recommends lifestyle changes you can use to reduce your risk of developing a neuroma.
What are the symptoms of a neuroma?
A neuroma causes no noticeable change in the foot’s physical appearance. But it has distinctive symptoms, including numbness, tingling, and pain in the ball of the foot and between the toes. Many people report feeling as though they have a stone in their shoe.
While these symptoms can relate to other conditions, doctors look out for other signs too, including:
- Pain that eases at night
- Pain that gets worse when walking or wearing tight shoes
- Tingling between the toes
- Shooting pains around the ball of your foot that get worse over time
Foot pain isn’t something you should ignore. If you’re in pain longer than a few days, seek podiatric treatment.
What is the treatment for neuroma?
In mild cases, you can treat a neuroma at home. Buying footwear with thick soles, low heels, and a wide toe box, and placing padded cushions or inserts at the ball of the foot can lessen pressure.
Medications like ibuprofen (Advil®) or cortisone injections help ease pain and inflammation. While resting your foot, applying an ice pack and massaging the painful area provide temporary pain relief.
If symptoms persist or the condition is too far advanced, Dr. Puthenpurakal will recommend surgery to remove the enlarged and inflamed nerve.
Don't put up with a painful neuroma. Begin treatment today. Call American Foot & Ankle Specialists today or schedule a consultation through the online booking tool.
