Neuromas

What are they?

Neuromas are nerve irritations that involve typically an enlarged or swollen segment of the nerve itself. In some cases, these neuromas can actually resemble a small grape in size and can cause significant discomfort for the patient. An individual experiencing neuromas will often complain of numbness, tingling, and/or burning sensations. Neuromas can sometimes be extremely painful. In most cases, the neuroma will be located between the third and fourth digits of one foot with burning sensation involving the bottom of the metatarsal fat pad and the two involved toes. A second commonly involved site is between the second and third toes of the foot. The typical neuroma usually does not have redness, heat, swelling, or any apparent range of motion loss. Pressure on the bottom of the foot with manipulation of the involved digits will frequently produce the painful symptoms.

What causes them?

The most frequent cause of neuromas is trauma or injury. Trauma might be minimal such as a twisting of the foot or chronic such as repeated micro-trauma from an excessively flat foot. The problem is that the onset of the neuroma pain might not appear for quite some time after the noted trauma. In other words, an injury to the foot may have occurred two plus months prior to any neuroma formation still cause the problem. Shoes might aggravate an existing neuroma but usually do not play a causative role.

How do you treat them?

The usual range of conservative care through surgical procedures applies in the approach to neuroma care. Appropriate shoe selection and modifications are a good start in relieving pressure by allowing additional room for the foot during walking. Multiple forms of physical therapy and localized injections of anti-inflammatory medication can frequently be helpful in the treatment of this annoying problem. In many cases, surgical procedures armed at identifying and removing the involved section of irritated nerve can provide a more permanent resolution.