Do you feel like there’s something in your shoe whenever you walk, but can never find the culprit? You may have a neuroma, a small lump of noncancerous nerve tissue, which the experts at specialist podiatric clinic Dr. Simon Becker DPM can remedy. The clinic has branches in West Orange and Elmwood Park, New Jersey, offering convenient services for patients with foot pain from neuromas. Call Dr. Simon Becker DPM today to schedule a consultation, or book your appointment using the online form.
request an appointmentNeuromas
What are neuromas?
Neuromas are a painful foot condition, also known as pinched nerves or nerve tumors. The cause is an overgrowth of nerve tissue, most often between the third and fourth toes. The growth is benign but does cause symptoms such as:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Burning sensation
You typically experience these symptoms in the area between the toes and the ball of your foot. Patients who have neuromas often describe the feeling as being similar to having a stone in their shoe when walking. The pain generally eases off if you stop walking and take off your shoes.
What causes neuromas?
There’s no single cause for the development of neuromas, but there are factors that can contribute, such as:
- High arches
- Flat feet
- Nerve damage
- Unsuitable footwear
- Repetitive stress
If you experience these symptoms, you should change your footwear for something that gives your feet plenty of room, so your toes aren’t squashed, and low heels. Use insoles and choose shoes with thick soles that can act as shock absorbers.
Using shoe pads and applying an ice pack can help as well, but you should get expert advice from a podiatrist at Dr. Simon Becker DPM as soon as you can, as left untreated neuromas usually get worse.
What treatments are available for neuromas?
The first stage in treating your neuroma is to reduce the pressure on the affected area of your foot. Your Dr. Simon Becker DPM podiatrist takes X-rays or an MRI to get a better view of the internal structures of your foot, and can then decide on the best form of treatment.
Each case requires a tailored care plan, but treatments typically include:
- Padding and taping
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Cortisone injections
- Neurolytic injections
- Custom shoe inserts (orthotics)
If your neuroma is too advanced or doesn’t respond to these conservative approaches, your podiatrist might recommend surgery to remove the affected nerve. This is usually a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, with recovery taking as little as two weeks.
If you feel like you’ve got a stone in your shoe when you walk, or you have any foot pain that doesn’t disappear within a few days, you should visit the expert podiatry team at Dr. Simon Becker DPM for advice.
Call them today to schedule a consultation, or book your appointment using the online tool.