Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois
Podiatrists located in Springfield, Decatur, Carlinville and Shelbyville, Illinois.
If you feel pain between your toes or in the ball of your foot when you walk, it could be a neuroma. Fortunately, surgeons at the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois offer diagnosis and treatment for neuromas that provide fast pain relief. Treatments in the office are highly effective. When surgery is necessary, it is done on an out-patient basis. Surgery is minimally invasive to minimize scar tissue and to allow the patient to be weight bearing.
Neuromas Q & A
What are neuromas?
A neuroma is a painful condition that’s caused by specific nerve tissue thickening. Neuromas most commonly develop in the ball of your foot between your third and fourth toes. These neuromas are also called Morton’s neuromas or intermetatarsal neuromas because they affect the nerve tissue in the bones in the ball of your foot.
Whether you have a Morton’s neuroma or a neuroma in another part of your foot, it’s painful. The thickening nerve tissue compresses your nerve, irritating it. This compression can enlarge your nerve which, left untreated, can lead to permanent nerve damage.
What are the symptoms of neuromas?
Neuroma symptoms usually come on gradually. You might notice discomfort when you’re wearing shoes with a narrow toe box, high heels, or when you’ve been walking for extended periods. Some of the most common symptoms of a Morton’s neuroma include:
- Pain in the ball of your foot
- A tingling or burning sensation
- Foot numbness
- Feeling like there’s something in your shoe
In its early stages, the pain from a neuroma can usually be relieved by getting off your feet. Taking off your shoes and rubbing the area may also help lessen the pain. Over time, your symptoms worsen and you’re less able to find relief. This is a sign your neuroma has grown and could be causing permanent nerve damage. Don’t wait until your foot pain is persistent to seek treatment for your neuroma. The Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois can help you protect your foot against permanent nerve damage.
How are neuromas treated?
In its early phases, a neuroma can usually be treated with noninvasive techniques like:
- Adding padding or orthotics to your shoe to support your arch
- Choosing shoes with a wide toe box
- Taking anti-inflammatory medication
- Getting medication injected into the area
- Icing the area
If your neuroma doesn’t respond to these treatments, the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois team also offers surgical intervention. The procedure is tailored to you and the size of your neuroma, ensuring you can get back on your feet as quickly as possible after surgery.
A neuroma doesn’t have to become debilitating provided you seek treatment early. If you have pain in the ball of your foot, call the Foot & Ankle Center of Illinois or make your appointment online today.
If you're interested in receiving treatment for neuroma,
Call Foot and Ankle Center of Illinois at (217) 787-2700 today!
We serve the following locations: Springfield, Decatur, Carlinville and Shelbyville, IL