If you have forefoot pain that comes on when you walk and goes when you remove your footwear, it maybe a Neuroma.
A Neuroma, sometimes referred to as a Morton’s Neuroma, causes discomfort and misery but not hurt all of the time. It is usually most painful when you are wearing shoes, and on your feet for a period of time. Often when you are out walking. People with a neuroma often say that they start to experience pain after they have been walking for a certain duration of time. It feels like a lump in the forefoot. It can be sharp, burn, fizz or ache, or feel sore. You can’t find anything there when pressing on the foot but it is irritated by tighter fitting shoes and sometimes even tight socks. Many people with a neuroma limit their activity to avoid discomfort and becomes more of a problem the longer you have it.
What is it?
Physiologically it presents as an enlargement of the nerve in the foot caused by irritation and inflammation.
Why does it Develop?
Neuroma’s can be associated with one or a combination of the following:
- foot function
- wide feet
- mobile feet
- a bunion,
- a foot which is developing a bunion
- a hammer toe/toes
How is it Diagnosed?
The clinical test to diagnose a Neuroma is called a Mulder’s click.
Utrasound examination can also be used in identification of a Neuroma.
How do we treat it?
We treat neuromas with a combination of the following:
- Footwear changes
- Orthotics
- Laser
- Corticosteroid injections
A steroid injection for a Neuroma can be done in the clinic and can really help reduce inflammation and cause softening effect on soft tissue, settling down the problem. If this is beneficial, further injections can be arranged to manage the problem.
In some cases the neuroma may be too large to be successfully treated with footwear changes, orthotics and even corticosteroid injections. In these cases we can refer patients for a surgical opinion on whether excision of the thickened nerve is necessary.
If you think you have a Neuroma please contact us for advice. Our Podiatrists can tell you more about your treatment options, help you return to comfort quickly and let you get on with more important things in life.
If you are suffering with pain in your forefoot book in for an assessment with one of our Podiatrists. To find out more about what could be causing your forefoot pain download our leaflet:
Forefoot Pain
