If you experience pain between your third and fourth toes, you might have a neuroma. If it is left untreated, you could suffer from permanent nerve damage. At Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic, Adam Matthews, DPM, and Karson Howard, DPM, are expert podiatrists who work alongside their team to provide relief for patients with neuromas. Whether your pain is mild or debilitating, make an appointment at one of their locations in Thayne or Jackson, Wyoming, or Pocatello, Soda Springs, Montpelier, or Idaho Falls, Idaho. Call or book your visit online today.

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What is a neuroma?

A neuroma is a nerve tumor, which is a benign growth of your nerve tissue. It can develop from an injury, trauma, or compression.

Although a neuroma can appear in various parts of the body, Morton’s neuroma is the most common, and it develops on the nerve between your third and fourth toes when the tissue surrounding the nerve thickens. 

If you don’t have your neuroma treated, it can worsen and lead to complications like permanent nerve damage.

What causes neuroma?

A neuroma develops when the nerve is compressed or irritated by any of the following:

  • High-heeled shoes
  • Shoes that are too tight
  • Pointed-toe shoes
  • Flat feet
  • High-arched feet
  • High-impact movements like running
  • Bunions or hammertoes
  • Trauma or injury that affect the nerve

The most common cause of neuromas comes from improper footwear.

What are the symptoms of a neuroma?

If you have a neuroma, you might experience:

  • Intermittent pain
  • Popping sensations when walking
  • Tingling or burning
  • Numbness

You might also feel like you have something in your shoe under the ball of your foot because of the enlarged tissues creating the sensation. You can ease your symptoms by removing your shoe and massaging the area. 

However, if your neuroma grows in size, your symptoms can intensify and lead to permanent nerve damage.

How is a neuroma treated?

During your examination at Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic, they check for a mass in your foot and work to rule out other conditions. An X-ray can help confirm an accurate diagnosis and also determine that you don’t have issues, such as arthritis or a stress fracture.

Treatments include nonsurgical therapies, such as:

  • Cortisone injections
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Custom orthotics
  • Shoe padding
  • Shoe modifications
  • Activity modifications

Avoid putting pressure on the nerve as much as possible, and give your feet comfort with the proper footwear, having plenty of room in the toe box and keeping your heels low to the ground. You should also let your feet rest as often as possible.

If your pain can’t be managed with conservative methods, surgery might be necessary to remedy your condition.

Don’t wait to get help for your neuroma. Schedule an appointment at Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic by phone or online today.