Are you in the know about neuromas? You may have heard of them before - it happens when a tiny little nerve inside your foot becomes pinched and irritated. They’re very painful and can even be warm to the touch due to irritation. It’s common for people to sometimes think that the pain they’re experiencing is from a fracture before it gets officially diagnosed! There are several reasons that a neuroma can develop within your foot, but most commonly neuromas develop between your second and third toes. Some of the reasons why a neuroma may develop include an actual stress fracture on top of developing a neuroma, wearing shoes that are too tight, blunt force trauma to the ball of your foot, or repeated injuries over time.
When your foot experiences this type of trauma, it can cause the fragile and sensitive nerve between your two toe bones to be pinched and inflamed, causing moderate to severe pain. Some neuromas heal on their own, but some persist for so long that they might even require surgical intervention. Don’t worry, most procedures to correct neuromas are minimally invasive! Sometimes, however, people might even think that their neuroma has gone away because a callus has formed over it as a defense mechanism. This is why it’s important to update your podiatrist, Dr. Alan J. Discont, about any aches or pains you’ve had since your last visit - even if they still don’t bother you today!
Besides surgical intervention, orthotics can really help take the pressure off of the neuroma and relieve some pain. You may find that over the counter anti-inflammatories will help reduce some of the pain and discomfort of a neuroma as well. If you find that they don’t help you relieve some discomfort, the next step to take is seeing Dr. Discont to look into your options for treatment. Call us at (408) 732-0033 to schedule an appointment at our location in Chandler, Arizona today!
