Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, an active lifestyle is practically a given. From walking the steep city streets to hiking the beautiful nearby trails, our feet take a daily pounding. But what happens when you feel a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot, or a sensation like you’re constantly stepping on a pebble? You might be dealing with a neuroma, a common and treatable foot condition.
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, our team of expert foot and ankle specialists is dedicated to helping you understand your foot pain and finding the right treatment to get you back on your feet and back to your active life. This page will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Morton’s neuroma and other foot neuromas, helping you to make informed decisions about your health.
What is a Neuroma?
A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue. While neuromas can occur in various parts of the body, they are most common in the foot. The most frequent type of foot neuroma is Morton’s neuroma, which develops in the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes. It’s also known as an intermetatarsal neuroma because of its location between the metatarsal bones of the foot.
Think of a nerve in your foot as a delicate electrical wire. When that wire is repeatedly compressed or irritated, the body tries to protect it by building up extra tissue around it. This creates the neuroma, which can then lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. It’s important to know that a neuroma is a benign (non-cancerous) condition; it is not a tumor.
Common Symptoms and Causes of Neuromas
So, how do you know if you might have a neuroma? The symptoms often start gradually and may come and go. You might experience:
- A sharp, burning, or shooting pain in the ball of your foot that may radiate into your toes.
- Tingling or numbness in your toes.
- A feeling that you are walking on a marble or a fold in your sock.
- Pain that worsens when you wear tight or high-heeled shoes or when you are active.
The exact cause of neuromas is not always clear, but they are often linked to anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve. Some common culprits include:
- Improper Footwear: Shoes with a narrow toe box or high heels can squeeze the toes and put pressure on the nerves.
- Foot Deformities: Conditions like bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, or high arches can lead to instability and increased pressure on the nerves in the foot.
- Repetitive Stress: High-impact activities like running or court sports can subject the feet to repeated stress, irritating the nerves.
- Trauma: An injury to the foot can also lead to the development of a neuroma.
Common Risk Factors for Developing Neuromas
Certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing a neuroma. These include:
- Wearing High Heels: This is a major contributor, as high heels shift your body weight to the balls of your feet, increasing pressure on the nerves.
- Participation in High-Impact Sports: Activities like running, tennis, and basketball put a lot of stress on the feet.
- Certain Foot Shapes: People with flat feet or high arches are more prone to developing neuromas.
- Foot Deformities: As mentioned above, bunions and hammertoes can increase your risk.
What to Expect: Diagnosis and Treatment at California Pacific Orthopaedics
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a neuroma, it’s important to see a foot and ankle specialist for an accurate diagnosis. At your appointment, your doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical examination of your foot. They may manipulate your foot to try to reproduce your symptoms and may order imaging tests like an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to rule out other conditions.
Once a diagnosis of a neuroma is confirmed, your doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to relieve pressure on the nerve and reduce your symptoms.
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
In most cases, non-surgical treatments are effective in relieving the symptoms of a neuroma. These may include:
- Footwear Changes: Your doctor will likely recommend that you switch to shoes with a wider toe box and lower heels.
- Padding and Taping: Special pads can be placed in your shoes to help deflect pressure away from the neuroma.
- Orthotics: Custom-made shoe inserts can help to support your arch and reduce pressure on the nerve.
- Activity Modification: You may be advised to temporarily avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms.
- Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Injections: In some cases, injections of a corticosteroid or other medication may be used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Surgical Treatment Options
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, surgery may be recommended. The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure on the nerve, which can be done in one of two ways:
- Nerve Decompression: In this procedure, the surgeon will cut the ligament that is pressing on the nerve, creating more space for the nerve.
- Neurectomy: In this procedure, the surgeon will remove the affected portion of the nerve.
Your surgeon at California Pacific Orthopaedics will discuss the best surgical option for you, as well as what to expect during and after the procedure. Recovery time will vary depending on the type of surgery performed, but most patients are able to return to their normal activities within a few weeks.
Why Choose California Pacific Orthopaedics for Neuroma Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area?
At California Pacific Orthopaedics, we understand that foot pain can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Our team of board-certified, fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialists is committed to providing you with the highest quality of care in a compassionate and supportive environment. We utilize the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques to help you get back to the activities you love, pain-free.
If you are experiencing foot pain and think you may have a neuroma, don’t wait to seek treatment. Contact California Pacific Orthopaedics today to schedule a consultation with one of our foot and ankle experts. We have convenient locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to serve you.
