Neuromas

Neuromas Treatments

What are neuromas?

Neuromas are enlarged, benign growth of nerves, typically found between the third and fourth toe. Enlargement is caused by tissue rubbing against the nerves, oftentimes caused by poorly fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure. This is a common cause of other foot pains. Without proper treatment, neuromas can lead to other foot health problems. 

Symptoms may include pain in the ball of the foot, sensations of thickness, burning, or numbness.

What are the risk of Neuromas?

Neuromas often cause severe nerve pain, which can also change the way your brain interprets touch and lead to abnormal pain types such as dysesthesias.

Dysesthesia is commonly known as abnormal sensation. These can be painful or just unpleasant. Neuromas are associated with two types of dysesthesias that do cause often significant pain. (Source: VerywellHealth)

  1. Allodynia: This is pain from stimuli that shouldn’t cause pain, such as a light brush of fabric against the skin, moderate heat or cold, or a small amount of pressure from a waistband that’s not too tight.
  2. Hyperalgesia: Heightened feeling of pain from stimuli that is normally painful; for example, bumping a body part against a door jamb might normally be a three or four on the pain scale, but a six or seven for someone with hyperalgesia.

Regardless of your condition, a proper diagnosis by experience foot doctor is recommended.  Contact our Podiatrists in Scottsdale for an exam!

Neuromas Treatments in Scottsdale
Neuromas Symptoms

Other specific symptoms depend on where the neuroma forms.

  • Burning pain: Happens in the ball of the foot that may radiate into the toes. Commonly known as “red hot needle” pain
  • Sharp, tingling pain  that intensifies with activity
  • Pain that’s exacerbated by wearing shoes, especially if they’re tight or narrow
  • Numbness and unpleasant feeling affect the toes unpleasant
  • Paresthesia or  so-call Pins-and-needles clicking sensation when you walk
  • Pain without shoes on
 
    What are neuromas treatments?

    Before treating the neuromas, Dr. Kosak will do the followings:

    1. Questionnaire: ask you to describe the pain and its intensity and when symptoms started. our foot doctor will also ask what types of shoes your wear and your job position, lifestyle, and hobbies.
    2. Physical Exam: Our foot doctor will physically exam your foot and locate the affected nerve.
    3. Image Scan: Our foot doctor may also get a detailed image of your foot and identify the problem inside.  X-Ray, Ultrasound, and MRI may be used to identify the root cause. 

    The doctor will rule out other conditions to give you the best neuromas treatment options. Common Neuromas Treatments includes:

    • Wearing corrective shoes
    • Orthotics, and cortisone injections
    • Alcohol Sclerosis Injections
    • Surgery for serious cases

    If non-surgical Neuromas treatments have not worked and symptoms persist after 9 to 12 months, surgery may be recommended.

    Surgery is usually very effective and efficient, but it can result in permanent numbness in the affected toes. Most neuromas surgery involves either removing the nerve or removing the pressure on the nerve by cutting surrounding ligaments or fibrous tissue.

    Two surgical procedures for Neuromas treatments are possible:

    • Dorsal procedure: The surgeon makes an incision on the top of the foot, allowing the patient to walk soon after surgery because the stitches are not on the weight-bearing side of the foot.
    • Plantar procedure: The surgeon makes an incision on the sole of the foot. During recovery, most patients will need to use crutches for about 3 weeks. The resulting scar might make walking uncomfortable. However, the neuroma can be reached easily and removed without cutting any structures.

    There is also a small risk of infection around the toes after surgery.

    Neuromas Treatments in Scottsdale

    For more information on neuromas treatments or to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (480) 247-8443!