Neuromas Specialist

What are neuromas?

Neuroma, or Morton’s neuroma, is a painful condition caused by a swollen, inflamed nerve inside your foot. It affects the ball of your foot, usually between your third and fourth toes. If you have neuroma, it may feel like you have a small rock in your shoe or like you’re always standing on a folded sock.

The condition arises when a benign tumor develops in the nerve within the bones at the ball of your feet. The tissue around the nerve thickens, which causes the growth, along with a variety of symptoms marked by shooting pain, including:

• Sharp, burning pain in the bottom of your foot
• Burning that spreads to your toes
• Stinging or numbness in your toes
• Feeling like there’s a pebble at the bottom of your shoe

Schedule an appointment at Richmond Podiatry Associates if any of these symptoms last longer than a few days.

What causes neuromas?

Neuromas generally occur as a result of irritation, constant pressure, or injury to one of the nerves that connect the ball of your foot to your toes. Some of the risk factors that increase the chances of developing neuroma include certain sports or recreational activities that involve running, and foot deformities such as:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• High arches
• Flatfeet

Ill-fitting footwear or wearing high heels has also been linked to the development of neuroma. With high heels in particular, the tight space at the toes can lead to irritation that affects the nerves in your feet. Also, nerve conditions such as an entrapped foot nerve, neuritis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome may lead to neuroma.

How is neuroma diagnosed?

If the team suspects you have neuroma, they perform a physical exam in which they press on your foot to feel for a tender spot. They’ll also look for a feeling of "clicking" between the bones inside your foot. For further testing, they may opt for X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI scans to conclusively diagnose neuroma.

How is neuroma treated?

After assessing your condition, your provider develops a personalized treatment plan to address the root cause of your neuroma.

Treatment for neuroma typically involves simple lifestyle modifications, such as wearing over-the-counter or custom arch supports that fit inside your shoe and relieve nerve pressure. When more traditional, conservative therapies don’t prove effective, your provider may inject steroids directly into the nerve to bring down inflammation, or perform surgery to remove the nerve.

To learn more about neuroma and the treatment options available to you, call Richmond Podiatry Associates or schedule an appointment online today.