Neuroma

A neuroma is the thickening of nerve tissue that develops between most commonly the toes. This is a result of trauma or repetitive compression and irritation of the nerve, which can lead to permanent nerve damage.  It tends to occur between the third and fourth toes.

Symptoms:

• Pain
• Burning, sharp pain
• Can feel numbness and/or tingling
• Feeling of something inside the ball of the foot

Risk Factors:

• Inappropriate footwear – narrow toe box, high heels
• Poor biomechanics and foot deformities – bunions, claw toes, flat feet, over pronation
• Activities causing repetitive motion to the ball of the foot – running, jumping

Assessment:

The podiatrists at toe-tal will diagnose the condition through clinical tests and a biomechanical assessment.  They will go through all the necessary treatments to help get you on the right path, a few are listed below.

Treatment:

1. Reduce, stop or modify activities
2. Apply ice over the painful area for 15 minutes to reduce swelling and inflammation
3. Padding and strapping to offload area
4. Improve footwear – wide toe box and low heel
5. Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) may be required, maximum 7 days
6. Metatarsal dome to increase space between bones and reduce irritation
7. Correct biomechanics
8. Cusomised orthotic if poor biomechanics is a factor to be contributing
9. Surgery to remove a segment of the nerve (only if pain persists)