Do you have foot pain in the ball of the foot or between the toes? Do you have a tingling or burning sensation on the bottom of your foot?
You may have a neuroma or a Morton’s Neuroma. Treatment with one of our podiatrists or foot doctors at Newtown Foot and Ankle Specialists can bring relief. Left untreated, neuromas can worsen and begin to limit mobility due to increasing discomfort in the foot. Permanent nerve damage can also result if a neuroma worsens over time. Neuroma is a common foot problem we treat at Newtown Foot and Ankle Specialists.
What Is A Neuroma?
A neuroma is a growth of nerve tissue that often occurs between the third and fourth toes and the ball of the foot. There is a range of reasons for developing a neuroma and possible risk factors. Although a neuroma is a benign growth, it can cause growing discomfort and make it painful and difficult to walk. For most people, treatment is effective when sought early.
Common signs of a neuroma:
- tingling, burning sensation between toes or on the ball of the foot
- pain between the third and fourth toes
- lump under the toes
- a sensation of walking on a marble
How Is A Neuroma Treated?
The treatment for a neuroma or Morton’s Neuroma can vary depending on the severity and the condition of your foot. An exam and a possible X-ray are often used to evaluate your foot and determine the appropriate treatment. In addition to treatment to resolve the neuroma and improve symptoms, we will discuss your risk factors and overall health and lifestyle to help you avoid a recurrence of this painful condition.
For some patients with mild conditions, some rest and possibly changing the type of shoe they wear can slowly resolve the neuroma. Lower-heeled shoes and padded soles and socks can relieve pressure. Shoes with tapered toes or a style that pushes the toes together or puts pressure on the toes from elevation can be both a cause and an aggravator of a neuroma. Other treatment options include:
- custom orthotics
- anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections
- neurolysis
- surgical removal of the neuroma
Neuroma FAQs
Learn more about neuroma treatment in Newtown, PA, with answers to these common questions:
Do neuromas ever go away?
No, the neuroma will not go away without treatment. Some symptoms may be irregular and go away for extended periods, but the odds of them returning are high. Treatment helps diminish pain in hopes that it will go away completely.
Is walking barefoot good for a neuroma?
Walking barefoot may be known to cause increased pain in the feet around a neuroma. Wearing tight shoes may also increase pain because they provide such a tight space for the foot that it cannot breathe. Any compression, pressure, or high-impact activities may increase pain in a neuroma.
How can I make my neuroma feel better?
Some ways known to decrease pain with a neuroma are to ice your foot, take ice baths, change up your shoes, and take painkillers recommended by your doctor. Also, decreasing physical activities that put pressure on your feet may help ease the pain.
When does a neuroma need to be removed?
A neuroma should be removed when it is causing issues for a patient, and consistent pain. Neuroma surgery can remove it to relieve pain for the patient. Neuromas are typically placed between toes.
Can flip flops cause Morton’s Neuroma?
Flip-flops are a common cause of neuromas. Some patients only experience pain in the summer and around the month they wear flip flops. There is a direct correlation between neuroma pain and flip flop/sandal wearing.
Is surgery necessary for treating a neuroma?
Surgery is not always necessary to treat a neuroma. Most of the time, doctors will try other treatments first, like changing your shoes, using special inserts (orthotics), or giving you medicine to reduce pain and swelling.
If these treatments don’t help and the pain keeps getting worse, then surgery might be needed to remove the neuroma. Surgery is usually the last option when other treatments don’t work.
What are good exercises for Morton’s neuroma?
Some exercises can help relieve pain and discomfort from Morton’s neuroma by stretching and strengthening your feet. Here are some good exercises:
- Toe Stretching: Sit down and place a towel or resistance band around the ball of your foot. Gently pull the towel toward you to stretch your toes and the bottom of your foot. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then release. Repeat 3 times for each foot.
- Foot Rolling: Roll the bottom of your foot over a tennis ball, golf ball, or frozen water bottle. Apply gentle pressure and roll back and forth for a few minutes. This can help massage the foot and reduce pain.
- Toe Spreading: Sit with your feet flat on the ground. Spread your toes as far apart as possible, then relax. Repeat this 10-15 times to strengthen the muscles between your toes.
- Calf Stretching: Stand facing a wall with your hands pressed against it. Place one foot behind the other, keeping the back leg straight and the heel on the ground. Bend your front knee and lean toward the wall to stretch your calf. Hold for 15-30 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat three times.
- Towel Scrunches: Place a towel flat on the floor. Then, use your toes to grab the towel and pull it toward you. This helps strengthen the muscles in your toes and feet. Repeat ten times for each foot.
Can massage help treat a neuroma?
Yes, massage can help treat Morton’s neuroma. Massaging the foot can reduce pain, relieve pressure, and improve blood flow to the affected area. By gently massaging the ball of the foot and the area between the toes, you can ease some of the discomfort caused by the neuroma.
Regular massage, combined with other treatments like wearing supportive shoes and doing foot exercises, can make a big difference. However, massage may not cure the neuroma. Talk to us about other treatments if the pain continues.