SYMPTOMS
Neuroma
pain may start gradually, and causes sharp, burning, tingling, cramping,
or numbness, or a combination of these symptoms. A sharp pain may
occur at the base of the toes. Symptoms often occur after you have
been walking or standing for a period of time. A diagnosis of a
neuroma is based on the symptoms described by the patient which
may be present with similar symptoms. Stress fractures, metatarsalgia,
rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy and referred pain from
the back are a few conditions that can mimic pain associated with
a neuroma. Wearing tight shoes pushes the metatarsals together squeezing
the tumor between them and increasing the size of the nerve. You
may need to take your shoe off and rub your foot. In some cases,
the pain radiates from the tip of the toes to the ankle.
TREATMENT
After
your evaluation, your physician will discuss the most appropriate
care for your neuroma. Treatment begins with conservative padding
and strapping of the foot. Some specific treatments include:
Conservative
treatment:
Functional
Orthotic Devices-
Custom shoe inserts reposition your body weight across the metatarsal
area, thereby decreasing abnormal pressure on the neuroma, helping
to prevent nerve irritation.
Physical
therapy
*Ultrasound Therapy and Hydrotherapy-Whirlpool theurapeutic treatments
coupled with sound waves (ultrasound) may help reduce swelling
around the nouroma.
*Medication
- Cortisone injections or other medication can relieve pain and
swelling in the nerve's outer costing.
*
Shoe
Modifications
- Pads can cushion and support the parts of your foot that are
vulnerable. Roomy, supportive shoes can help prevent irritation.
A change to a more wider shoe can also decrease the pressure on
the offending nerve.
*Padding
and strapping-
Adhesive tape with a combination of adhesive strapping may also
be used in conjunction with the above conservative treatment to
decrease pressure on the affected nerve
Surgery:
The decision to surgically intervene is based on your symptoms
and the judgement of the doctor. If nonsurgical care does not
give sufficient relief, surgery may be necessary to remove or
decompress the neuroma. A local anesthetic may be used for this
procedure, which can be performed in a physician's office, surgical
center or hospital. Following surgery, you may feel numbness in
the area where the nerve was removed. Your physician will tell
you how soon you can be on your feet, but generally you may return
to normal activities within three to six weeks.
You
can contact Dr. A.J. Galluzzo in Rockford, IL at Tel:
(815) 633-3050
or in Chicago, IL at Tel:
(312) 944-2929 |