Neuromas

Morton's neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton's neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock.

Morton's neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. You may have stinging, burning or numbness in the affected toes.

What Causes a Neuroma?

Anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve can lead to the devolpment of a neuroma.

One of the most common offenders is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box or high heeled shoes.

People with certain foot deformities-- bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet, or more flexible feet--are at higher risk for devoloping a neuroma.  

How Do You Treat Neuromas? 

Conservative treatments include:

• Padding                     
• Icing
• Changes in shoewear
• Medications such as NSAIDS
• Injection of cortisone
• 3-D prescription made orthotic devices

When and What Surgery is Indicated?

Surgery is indicated only after all conservative measures have failed.

The typical surgery involves cutting out the affected nerve to alleviate the pain. The result is alleviation of the pain and slight loss of sensation to the affected toes.