A neuroma can develop anywhere in the body. Still, one of the most common locations is the foot, specifically between the third and fourth toes. These masses are usually benign but can be painful. Fortunately, at Prairie Rock Foot and Ankle Clinic, serving Manteno, IL, and the nearby region, Dr. Elizabeth Hofmeister and Dr. Rebecca Hodulik can diagnose and treat neuromas.
What Exactly Is a Neuroma?
While the suffix “oma” indicates a mass, it doesn’t always mean a cancerous tumor. Fortunately, in the case of neuromas, these masses are most often non-cancerous. They tend to form when there’s damage to a nerve, such as from surgery, the type of shoes you wear, bunion, or repetitive stress. Even having rheumatoid arthritis or gout could damage the nerve.
Neuromas form when the nerve doesn’t heal properly, and long axons and scar tissue threads form at the site. This can cause several unpleasant symptoms, like:
- Tingling that worsens with activity
- Numbness or a “pins and needles” feeling
- Burning or sharp pain
- Pain that worsens from wearing narrow or tight-fitting shoes
How We Diagnose a Neuroma
To diagnose a neuroma at our Manteno, IL, office, we’ll have you complete a medical history report since certain conditions or issues can make you more prone to them. A practitioner will also ask you questions and perform an evaluation, complete with palpation at the site.
Sometimes, more testing is necessary and may include any of the following:
- Tinel’s test (tapping of the nerve pathway)
- X-ray to rule out other causes of your discomfort and symptoms
- Ultrasound to assess the soft tissue and possibly diagnose a neuroma
What To Expect From Neuroma Treatment
We understand that your feet are putting in challenging days, and pain and other unpleasant symptoms can interfere with your ability to move freely and comfortably, negatively impacting your quality of life.
That’s why we promptly diagnose you and find a solution that best suits your needs, possibly consisting of a medication like a corticosteroid injection or tricyclic antidepressant.
If we can’t successfully help you through a noninvasive approach, surgery may be your best option. Two potential options are cutting the nearby tissue to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and removing that part of the nerve.
Give Your Feet Some Love
At Prairie Rock Foot and Ankle Clinic, serving Manteno, IL, and the general vicinity, Dr. Hofmeister and Dr. Hodulik have seen countless patients suffering from foot pain, including neuromas. No matter the patient, our goal is always to relieve the pain, even if surgery is necessary.
Contact us at (815) 468-7117 for neuroma help.