You may have first noticed it when you wore your new pair of high heels to the office for a day, or took a hike and it felt like your sock was bunching up behind your toes. That odd feeling of pressure—or maybe even a sharp pain—in the ball of your foot had you taking off your shoes and massaging the area until the discomfort went away. These are common symptoms of neuromas.
Causes of Numbness and Pain in Your Toes
A neuroma is a benign growth or thickening of nerve tissue, sometimes referred to as a nerve tumor or pinched nerve. When it occurs in your feet, it usually happens between the third and fourth toes and is called Morton’s neuroma. It can be caused by several things: an injury that made the nerve swell, inherited foot structures like flat feet or high arches that put unusual pressure on the toe joints, or shoes that force your weight onto the ball of your foot (like high heels) or pinch your toes (tight or narrow footwear). Some people have jobs that put extra stress on this area, like painters on ladders or ballet dancers.
You will recognize the condition by symptoms like pain between or behind your toes, a numb or tingly feeling in the ball of your foot, pain in the forefoot when you put weight on it, and swelling. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact Dr Khanh Le in Sammamish to evaluate them. We will examine your foot, use imaging tests if necessary to rule out fractures or other problems, and discuss the best treatment for your particular situation.
Treatment of Neuromas without Surgery
Catching the problem early may mean the difference between finding relief in conservative treatments and needing surgery. We can recommend home remedies that often get rid of the pain and allow you to function normally. These include wearing shoes with plenty of room for your toes, low heels, and buckles or laces that allow for width adjustment. Shock absorbent soles and cushioned inserts can also make a big difference to your comfort. We can show you how to massage and ice the area of your foot as well, to help relieve pain and swelling.
We may recommend certain pads available in drug stores that will cushion the area, anti-inflammatory medications, or cortisone shots to ease your pain. Fitting you with a custom orthotic may help address problems with your foot structure that contributed to the neuroma. Only when these methods fail would we advise surgery to remove the swollen or inflamed nerve. If surgery is the only option, we will take the greatest care to walk you through the process. Proper healing and sufficient recovery time will help to keep you as comfortable as possible.
Find Great Foot Care in Sammamish
Whether you live in Sammamish, Bellevue, Issaquah, Redmond, Kirkland, Carnation, or Snoqualmie, WA, you can trust your feet to Dr Khanh Le at The Plateau Foot & Ankle Clinic. Call (425) 868-3338 today and get relief from your foot pain.
