After much consideration, I have made the difficult decision to close my practice. I want to express my deepest thanks for the privilege of being your podiatrist.
I am so grateful for the trust you've placed in me. Helping you get back to the activities you love has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career. I truly value the relationships we've built. I look forward to the next chapter and hope our paths cross again in the future.
Do you have pain in the balls of your feet? Do you feel like you are walking on a rock, but when you look in your shoe nothing is there? You could have a neuroma.
A neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue. The thickening of the nerve is a result of the nerve getting compressed, irritated and inflamed which then results in pain.
You may have heard of a Mortons Neuroma which occurs in the 3rd intermetatarsal space, however a neuroma can occur anywhere.
How do you get a neuroma? Anything that causes compression and irritation of the nerve can lead to a neuroma. Some things that can lead to a neuroma are:
Wearing shoes that have tapered or small toe boxes. Wearing shoes like this repeatedly, over time can increase the pressure on the nerves in your feet, leading to a neuroma.
People with certain foot deformities are at a higher risk of developing a neuroma. Foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and flatfeet.
Certain activities that put repetitive pressure on the balls of your feet can also lead to a neuroma, such as: running, ballet, and martial arts.
Symptoms of a Neuroma
If you have a neuroma you may have one of the following symptoms:
Burning, numbness or tingling in your toes
Pain in the ball of your foot
Feeling like you are walking on a rock or something is in your shoe
Conservative Treatment Options
Neuromas can be very painful, but there is treatment available! Some options include:
Activity modification – stop doing the activities, or modify the activities that cause you to put more pressure on the balls of your feet.
Shoe gear modification – make sure your shoes are not adding unneeded pressure to your feet, especially in the toe box.
Cortisone Injection
Orthotics
Surgical Treatment Options
If conservative treatment fails, surgical intervention can be offered. This often includes:
Decompressing the nerve
Removing the nerve
At Serenity Foot and Ankle Specialists we will always discuss all of your treatment options with you and come to a decision about treatment together.