One of the more common foot conditions occurring in the forefoot is called a Neuroma. A Neuroma is a benign mass of a nerve. The most common place a Neuroma forms in the foot is between the 3rd and 4th toes.
If you have pain on the ball of your foot around the 3rd and 4th toes, you could have a Neuroma. The pain can be sharp, aching, or cramping. Some people feel a pain or numbness in the 3rd and/or 4th toes.
Narrower shoes often make the foot hurt more. Sometimes wearing shoes makes the Neuroma feel better, and other times it makes it feel worse.
Not every pain on the ball of the foot is from a Neuroma.
There are theories about how a Neuroma develops, but no one knows for sure.
When a patient presents to us with pain on the ball of their foot, we ask many questions to ensure we make an accurate diagnosis.
Neuromas are often misdiagnosed by doctors who don’t specialize in the feet. Unnecessary surgeries have been done because of this misdiagnosis.
Other than avoiding shoes that are too narrow, there aren’t any home remedies for a Neuroma.
There are about 3-4 different treatments we use effectively to eliminate the pain of a Neuroma. The longer the pain has been present, the longer it may take to get relief.
The ultimate goal is pain relief without the need for surgery.
The ball of the foot can be one of the most difficult areas to get pain relief because of how much weight we place there with every step.
Persistent pain of the ball of the foot that lasts more than 2 weeks should be addressed by a foot specialist.
If you think you might have the symptoms of a Neuroma, let us make an accurate diagnosis before recommending the best course of treatment.
We can usually get your foot feeling good again without you changing your activities or missing work.