This week I saw quite a few neuromas in the office.  This was more than usual so I wanted to discuss neuromas and what we can do to help patients with neuromas.  I think it is appropriate to first discuss what a neuroma is then what we can do to treat them.

Neuromas seem to be more common in women than men and often present in the 4^th-6^th decade of life.  The first symptoms often include burning and tingling with activities that can be relieved with removal of shoes and rubbing one’s feet.  The neuroma itself is usually between the 3^rd and 4^th digits and is believed to be an enlargement of the nerve.  This is the most common location as two nerves come together in this spot.  The prevailing theory is mechanical stress from the adjacent bones pinch and irritate the nerve.  The response is the nerves can swell from this irritation and a cycle develops.

Treatment can take many forms for a neuroma but some seem to have much better outcomes than others.  I think a steroid injection is a great place to start to see if you can get the inflammation of the nerve to calm it down.  Next I like to try and spread the metatarsal bones out to take pressure off the nerve.  The next stop if patients continue to have been can be a series of dehydrated alcohol injections.  These have great literature support and a success rate of 89%.  I always make sure patients try this before removal of the nerve.  Removal can be accomplished if conservative measures fail and itself is highly effective.

If you have neuroma pain I can help please call 425-391-8666 to request an appointment with Dr Brandon Nelson.  

I see many patients that come in for burning or tingling of the forefoot.  Some even relate a stabbing or shooting pain in the front of the foot.  Typically they often describe pain that is worse with shoe gear and relieved by taking off their shoes and rubbing their feet.  These are very typical symptoms of somebody with nerve pain.

Neuromas are one of the most common causes of nerve pain in the feet, specifically the forefoot.  Neuromas occur typically in females between the ages of 40-60, however they are common in men of the same ages as well.  The neuromas itself occurs where two nerves in the feet come together.  These two nerves are the medial and lateral plantar nerves that are branches of the posterior tibial nerve.  They come together to form one nerve in the 3^rd interspace of the foot.  This is the region between the 3^rd and 4^th toes. 

Most people will present with numbness and tingling.  However some patients just present with pain to the toe or toes.  Often there can be a change in shoe gear or activities that precipitate the nerve irritation.  The prevailing theory is that this nerve is getting mechanically stimulated or crushed by the surrounding structures or the foot, most likely the metatarsal bones.  Repetitive irritation leads to the symptoms that we see i.e., numbness and pain. 

There are many great options to relieve nerve pain or neuroma pain.  However the most important part of that is identification of the cause.  It is paramount to see a provider that has experience and expertise in this area.  I have been treating neuromas for over 15 years and have many excellent options to relieve pain and neuromas symptoms long term.  If you are experiencing nerve pain I would love to help you get your life back. Give us a call at 425-491-8666 or make an appointment online. 

Sincerely,

Dr Brandon Nelson

Neuromas of the foot are common in woman between the ages of 40-60. The typical neuroma will present with pain, burning and tingling to the forefoot. Most people state the pain feels better without shoes and rubbing one’s foot can help. There does not need to be a history or trauma or even previous foot pain to have a neuroma.

The neuroma itself is usually located in the 3rd interspace of the foot. This is between the 3rd and 4th toe and can be either right or left foot and rarely both feet. The reason this is the most common spot is the fact two nerves come together in this location. Often this creates an entrapment as this location can have limited space.

Treatment options for neuromas range from stretching and icing to injections and orthotics. Rarely now is surgery required as the conservative measures are so successful. I typically employ a prescription orthotic in conjunction with a series of alcohol injections. I have developed a protocol over years of treating thousand of patients and this has proved so successful that I rarely find surgery needed. I even see quite a few patients that have seen multiple other providers. If you want to avoid surgery and have a neuroma I can help. I look forward to getting you back on the road to recovery, Dr. Brandon Nelson, Board Certified Physician and Surgeon.

Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.