What is a neuroma?
A neuroma is a condition in the foot where there is extra growth of the nerve tissue , this can involve swelling surrounding the nerve. This commonly causes pain in the foot and can have numbness, burning and a tingling sensation. These sensations can also travel down the foot towards the toes.
Causes of a neuroma?
There are a number of factors that are believed to contribute to a neuroma:
- Biomechanics- Your foot structure and function. How you walk.
- Footwear- inappropriate, incorrect size. In particular tight footwear and high heels.
- Trauma – damage to the nerve. Including repetitive stress.
Symptoms of a neuroma?
- Pain in the forefoot and towards the toes
- Burning, numbness and tingling
- Swelling of the forefoot
- Pain when walking or placing weight on the ball for your foot
- Pain often occurring in tight footwear.
Treatment:
The first step to reduced the irritation to the nerve and to reduced the severity of the pain. This can be done a number of ways:
- Footwear
– Correct fitted footwear.
– Extra width for the toes to move and have pleanty of room.
– Lower heel height (approx 1-2cm is ideal)
– Cushioned and thicker sole towards the fore foot to help absorb shock when walking.
- Resting and icing the foot to help reduce any inflammation.
- Visit you podiatrist for
– Assessment your biomechanics: Is there something about the way you are walking causing this to occur.
– Padding in your footwear
– Taping of your foot
– Orthoses to help offload the area
– Prolotherapy (see treatment options on website for more information)
- Surgical options.