Toe-Tal Foot & Ankle Care
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Neuroma

Podiatry, Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist located in Watauga, TX

Neuroma
Neuroma services offered in Watauga, TX

If you have ongoing pain in the ball of your foot, you might have a neuroma. At Toe-Tal Foot & Ankle Care in Watauga, Texas, highly trained podiatrist Daniel Cairns, DPM, provides a variety of treatment options to relieve pain for the long term, including nonsurgical and surgical care. To learn whether you have a neuroma and explore solutions, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.   

Neuroma Q & A

What is a neuroma?

A neuroma is nerve swelling after you experience compression on the nerve or direct trauma. If left untreated, the swelling could lead to permanent nerve damage.

One of the most common places for a neuroma to develop is inside the ball of your foot. Also known as Morton’s neuroma, this type of neuroma is likely to occur due to abnormal movements in metatarsals, which are the long bones in your feet (behind the toes). The nerve between your second and third toes becomes pinched and swollen.

What are the symptoms of a neuroma?

Some indications that you might have a neuroma include:

  • A tingling sensation or burning pain in one or more of your toes
  • Numbness in the toes
  • Pain that limits your mobility and quality of life
  • Popping sensation when you walk 

Patients can find some relief by rubbing the ball of their foot. However, additional movements may trigger additional neuroma pain.

How is a neuroma diagnosed?

To determine if a neuroma is the underlying cause of your foot pain, Dr. Cairns reviews your medical history and examines the affected foot. He may order imaging tests, like X-rays or an MRI, to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms to a neuroma, such as stress fractures in the bones of your feet or toes.

Once he confirms a neuroma, Dr. Cairns develops a treatment plan that focuses on relieving your neuroma pain and improving your mobility.

How are neuromas treated?

There are several treatment options for neuromas. Dr. Cairns may recommend nonsurgical treatments like corticosteroid injections, which can deliver anti-inflammatory medications directly into your affected nerve. He might also suggest using custom orthotics (shoe inserts) to help reduce pressure on the ball of your foot.

If you have severe pain and can’t find relief with conservative treatments, Dr. Cairns may recommend neuroma surgery. A neuroma procedure involves removing the nerve with special surgical tools and techniques to alleviate compression on the nerve.

If you’re limited by chronic neuroma pain and need podiatric care, call Toe-Tal Foot & Ankle Care or schedule an appointment online today.