Neuromas are non-cancerous nerve tumors that commonly form between the third and fourth toes. They grow over time, making it feel like there’s a pebble or other object stuck in your shoe.
As your nerve tissue thickens and swells, it results in uncomfortable side effects like burning, stinging, or stabbing sensations. Anyone can develop a neuroma, but they tend to affect people who wear shoes that crowd the toes together, like high heels.
Common symptoms of neuromas include:
If you experience foot pain between your third and fourth toes, and it doesn’t respond to conservative treatments like ice or over-the-counter pain medication, make an appointment with the team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates right away.
Neuromas can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk, including wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes, playing high-impact sports, or having an underlying foot abnormality like high arches, a hammertoe, or flatfeet.
To diagnose neuromas, the team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates physically examines your foot and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and if any activities like working out make them worse. Afterward, your provider gently presses on the ball of your foot to feel for a mass or tender spot.
If an exam doesn’t provide enough insight, your provider might recommend diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, an ultrasound, or an MRI. These tools use advanced technologies to capture photographs of the hard and soft tissues in your feet.
The team at DeLoor Podiatry Associates usually recommends conservative measures to treat neuromas. For example, arch supports or custom orthotics can reduce pressure on the nerves in your feet, relieving pain and improving your mobility.
If conservative treatments don’t provide relief, your provider might recommend corticosteroid injections or physical therapy. In severe instances, surgical intervention may be necessary. Depending on your needs, the team might recommend decompression surgery or surgery to remove the affected nerve.
To receive treatment for neuromas, make an appointment at DeLoor Podiatry Associates by calling the nearest office or clicking the online booking tool today.
