Neuroma Specialist

Ankle & Foot Doctors of New Jersey

Dr. Bhuta, Dr. Ahmed, and Dr. Adrien are Ankle and Foot Surgeons & Podiatrists located in Millburn, Union, Westfield, & Livingston, NJ

A neuroma on your foot usually causes pain in the ball of your foot, between the third and fourth toes. For a solution to this annoying and sometimes debilitating condition, visit the doctors at Ankle & Foot Doctors of New Jersey. Call for an appointment or use the online booking tool to relieve pain from your neuroma.

Neuroma Q & A

What causes a neuroma?

A neuroma refers to a benign growth that can occur in various parts of the body. When it happens on your foot, it’s known as Morton’s neuroma.

The tissue around the nerves that lead to your toes becomes thick and swollen, which causes pain in the ball of your foot. Constant pressure and squeezing of the nerve leads to irritation and can cause a neuroma.

You’re vulnerable to developing a neuroma if you wear ill-fitting shoes that put undue pressure on your toes, particularly high heels. High-impact exercise or an injury may also cause a neuroma to form.

Other causes include bunions or flat feet, which cause you to alter your gait and put excessive pressure on the tissue of the foot.

What are the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma?

Usually, you feel the pain between the third and fourth toe, but it can occur between any toes. Symptoms include:

Burning pain in the ball of the foot
Numbness and tingling in the ball of the foot and toes
Heightened pain when you wear tight or narrow shoes
Feeling like there’s a pebble or marble in your shoe

You’ll notice the pain accentuates when you press on the bottom of your foot or squeeze your toes together. Because your choice of footwear is often to blame for Morton’s neuroma, women are far more likely to develop the condition than men.

How is a neuroma treated?

The doctors usually order an on-site X-ray to rule out other causes for your symptoms.

For a mild neuroma with limited pain, the doctors may recommend padding in your footwear to relieve pressure on the nerve and reduce compression. Other ways to combat neuroma pain include:

Icing the area
Customized orthotic devices
Changing your shoes from heels to flatter shoes with a wider toe box
Avoiding high-impact activities for several weeks

At Ankle & Foot Doctors of New Jersey, the doctors also offer ultrasound-guided needle injections. These injections deliver corticosteroids to relieve the pain.

When guided by an ultrasound, he gets a more precise visualization of the neuroma's location, which makes treatment more accurate and effective.

If you have the irritation and pain of a neuroma, call Ankle & Foot Doctors of New Jersey or book an appointment online today.

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