Wanting to understand more about the neuroma treatment options that are available nowadays? This benign condition tends to occur in the small nerves that run in between the metatarsal bones that are located in the ball of your foot and your third and fourth toes. Neuromas can occur due to a number of reasons, including wearing high heels, wearing too-tight shoes and being diagnosed with bunions, hammer toes, flat feet or a foot malformation.
Learning more about your neuroma treatment options is a great idea when diagnosed with this nerve-related disorder. A neuroma, also called a nerve tumor, refers to the swelling of a nerve due to some type of trauma. This swelling can potentially lead to experiencing permanent nerve damage, making it necessary for you to seek professional assistance to address your neuroma. Neuromas are commonly found near the ball of the foot, which is often due to the bones underneath the toes performing abnormal movements. They can also be caused when an injury damages the nerves in the feet, also known as a traumatic neuroma.
The most common symptom associated with a neuroma is pain experienced in the ball of the foot, which also tends to spread to the toes. This pain can even spread into the heel of the foot or the ankle, with the pain experienced often being sharp or burning. The pain is often generalized vs. being located in an isolated area. The pain tends to become worse when performing everyday activities like walking.
There are a few treatment options available for patients who have been diagnosed with a neuroma, with some of the more popular shown below. It will simply depend on each individual patient's situation when it comes to which treatment option will ideally work for them.
Cortisone injections tend to be the first type of treatment patients will receive when suffering from the nerve damage that this disorder causes in one’s feet. The cortisone is injected near the damaged nerve, causing the nerve to shrink so there is no longer so much pressure being placed on the nerve. While cortisone injections are not a cure, they can provide patients with the pain relief they seek.
Destroying the nerve using radiofrequency ablation, also known as heat therapy, gets in the way of a nerve's ability to send any pain signals. Radiofrequency ablation heats the fibers in the nerves in a way that prevents them from sending these signals and causes no damage to any nearby tissues.
Surgery may be necessary to entirely remove a neuroma. The surgical process is minimally invasive and does not require patients to undergo a long recovery period.
There are neuroma treatment options available, which means you do not have to continue suffering in pain. If you have not received a proper diagnosis yet, we can provide you with the diagnosis you need to understand what is going on with your foot health. We invite you to make an appointment now. Just let us know what a convenient time for you to come in is and we will see you then!
Request an appointment here: https://www.pocatellopodiatry.com or call Ambulatory Foot & Ankle Clinic at (208) 803-0010 for an appointment in our Pocatello office.
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