If you’ve ever suffered from a neuroma, you know how painful it can be. This benign nerve growth usually occurs in the ball of the foot, frequently between the third and fourth toe. It can result in swelling, pain, tingling or numbness in the forefoot and toes. At North Jersey Podiatry, we want our patients to know that there are several treatment options available for neuroma foot pain.
THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU
The methods a podiatrist prescribes to relieve your neuroma pain will depend at least in part on the source of the neuroma and its severity. It’s important if you are experiencing pain or sensation changes in your forefoot that you contact our Wayne, NJ office so that our podiatrist, Dr. Paul Klein, can examine your foot and get to the root of the problem. In some cases, a neuroma is the result of a biomechanical defect in your feet, such as flat feet or overly high arches, which create instability around the toe joints. A custom orthotic device may be recommended to correct the defect and thereby relieve the neuroma. Other treatment options include:
- Medication—cortisone shots and anti-inflammatory medications may decrease the pain of a neuroma.
- Padding—used on the ball of the foot may decrease pressure on the neuroma and ease symptoms.
- Surgery—when more conservative treatment methods fail to produce results, surgery to remove the enlarged nerve may become necessary.
HOME CARE
You can help relieve painful neuroma symptoms and prevent neuromas from developing in the first place by choosing your shoes carefully. Look for styles with roomy toe boxes and low heels. Footwear with laces or buckles can be adjusted for comfort. Resting and massaging the affected foot can bring temporary pain relief. You can also try icing the neuroma to decrease symptoms.
If you suspect you may have a neuroma, call us today at (973) 595-1555 or reach out online.