Neuroma

Neuroma, a Form of Nerve Damage

Neuromas are benign and enlarged nerve growths. They most commonly originate between the third and fourth toes.

Typically, neuromas develop due to irritation of the nerves. The irritation may be caused by tissue rubbing against the nerves, ill-fitting footwear or by abnormal bone structure.

Symptoms of a neuroma in the foot may include:

Pain, usually located in the ball of the foot
Tingling
Numbness
Burning
A feeling of thickness

Treatment for a Neuroma

If you believe you are suffering from a neuroma in the foot, see a podiatrist for an evaluation. A podiatrist will be able to recommend the best treatment for your specific case.

Treatment usually includes using orthotic devices or corrective footwear. Your podiatrist may also recommend cortisone injections. In some severe cases, surgery may be necessary. It is possible to remove the growth surgically.

Morton’s Neuroma

There is a specific type of a neuroma called a Morton’s neuroma. With a Morton’s neuroma, the nerve that runs to the toes is affected. Morton’s neuromas are usually caused by irritation as well. The irritation can be due to wearing tight-fitting footwear or high heels, or by trauma. If you are suffering from a Morton’s neuroma, you may feel a burning, radiating pain in the ball of the foot or in the toes. You may also experience numbness. Treatment will depend on your case and the severity of the condition, but treatments will be similar to the ones listed above. A change in shoes will definitely be recommended if footwear was to blame for the development of the neuroma, and cortisone injections may be recommended as well.

Therapeutic Procedure for Neuromas

Neurolysis is a therapeutic procedure used to treat neuromas. During this nonsurgical procedure, the affected nerve is chemically destroyed via seven weekly injections of ethanol mixed with a local anesthetic. Because nerve tissue has an affinity for ethanol, it absorbs the substance, which, after repeated exposure, becomes toxic and destroys the pain-causing nerve. Neurolysis has a success rate of more than 60 percent. However, this treatment modality is not widely accepted by insurance companies.

Neuroma: Is Surgery the Answer for You?

A neuroma is an issue with the nerve. It is an abnormality and the nerve has been damaged. The damage may have occured due to trauma or because of an irregularity of the foot. Neuromas are frequently located in the ball of the foot. Your podiatrist may recommend surgery in cases of chronic nerve pain caused by neuromas.

During surgery for a neuroma, an incision is made on the top of the foot where the neuroma is located, which is typically between the second and third toes or the third and fourth toes. When the affected nerve is found, the surgeon will remove it.

Neuroma surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis. A local anesthetic is used for the procedure and the incision made during the procedure will be covered with a dressing when the surgery is done. It must be kept dry until the sutures are removed, which is usually between ten to fourteen days after the procedure. Patients are also usually restricted to limited walking until after the sutures are taken out.

The majority of patients go home after the surgery with a surgical shoe, but crutches could be recommended in cases where the incision is made on the bottom of the foot. Elevation and icing will be needed for the first few days following the procedure to help reduce swelling. Patients usually can return to normal shoe wear after approximately three weeks. The overall recovery time is usually four to six weeks.

Using Ultrasounds for Foot Health

Ultrasound is a very effective tool for diagnosing a wide variety of foot and ankle problems, particularly soft tissue problems. Ultrasound uses sound waves on the body in a way much like radar uses sound waves. The waves hit a targeted area and are bounced back to a recording device, which produces an image. Ultrasound is a completely safe, noninvasive, and painless diagnostic procedure.

Common problems for which ultrasound may be prescribed include: