If you feel sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot or tingling between your toes, you might have a neuroma. This painful condition occurs when the tissue around one of your nerves thickens, often between your third and fourth toes. This thickened lump of nerve tissue — typically around two centimeters in diameter — can make walking painful.
The good news is that there are many ways to treat a neuroma and get you back on your feet without pain. Below, our Manhattan Podiatry Associates team shares how we treat neuromas from our offices in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan, New York City.
In many cases, your neuroma symptoms can be eased without surgery. You might start with:
Shoes that are too tight, too high, too narrow, or not made to support your arches (whether you have flat feet or high arches) can contribute to neuromas or exacerbate ones you already have.
So, your first step in neuroma management is to choose footwear with a wide toe box and the right type of arch support for your feet.
Orthotics are custom-made inserts that help reduce pressure on the nerves in your toes. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are based on your specific foot anatomy. That means you get pressure relief where you need it most.
Metatarsal pads can help relieve neuroma pain. A metatarsal pad is a small, soft cushion that sits just behind the ball of your foot. It helps spread your toes and reduce pressure on your affected nerve, making walking and standing more comfortable.
When used correctly, metatarsal pads can be an easy, noninvasive way to ease discomfort from a neuroma throughout the day.
If you have a neuroma, you already know that putting pressure on your feet can hurt. Walking is bad enough, let alone high-impact sports or long periods on your feet!
To help reduce your pain and avoid exacerbating your neuroma, switch to lower-impact activities. If you’re on your feet for hours a day, try to take more frequent breaks to relieve the pressure on your feet.
If conservative treatments alone aren’t enough to ease your symptoms, our board-certified team of podiatrists may recommend:
If over-the-counter anti-inflammatory meds aren’t enough, we may prescribe medication to reduce pain and swelling.
Cortisone injections contain both a local anesthetic (for pain relief) and a steroid (to reduce inflammation). This combination can make you more comfortable and potentially avoid — or at least delay — surgery.
If your neuroma continues to cause significant pain, even after other treatments, surgery may be your best choice. At least one study shows that about 30% of people who had a cortisone injection eventually went on to have surgery.
Your podiatrist can surgically remove the thickened nerve tissue or release nearby structures to relieve pressure.
Don’t ignore foot pain. It’s your body’s way of telling you something’s wrong. At Manhattan Podiatry Associates, we offer expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for neuromas. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward lasting relief. Call our location of your choice or book an appointment online today.
