Neuroma
Neuroma
CAUSES
A neuroma is the swelling of a nerve that is a result of continuous compression or trauma most commonly from hard soled or narrow shoes. Other causes include flatfeet and bunions altering the way you walk. The pain can be described as burning, tingling or cramping with occassional shooting and numbness into the toes. Also people will describe this as walking on a pebble or having their sock bunched up. Most notably the affected toes will begin to separate causing a v-sign between the toes.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is made by squeezing the foot from the sides eliciting pain and pushing on the neuroma where a palpable click can be felt. We also use diagnostic ultrasound to determine the size and thickness 0f the neuroma. X-rays will not show a neuroma but are useful to rule out biomechanical abnormalities, stress fractures, arthritis or plantar plate ruptures that can mimic a neuroma.
TREATMENT
Conservative treatment consists of steroid injections, padding and arch supports which can help to alleviate the symptoms for up to 80% of the patients. However in the remaining 20% of patients that require surgery most surgeons will recommend a surgical procedure to remove the nerve which will keep you off work for 6-8 weeks and activities for up to 3 months. Also the post-operative complications can lead to a muscular imbalance and a possible stump neuroma which will require an additional surgery.
At mid-ohio foot and ankle we specialize in the percutaneous decompression with cryoablation of the nerve through a 5mm incision. This procedure can be done in the office under a local anesthesic to numb the toes instead of putting the patient to sleep at the hospital or surgery center. You are walking the same day and back in a shoe within a week. This leads to minimal down time and minimal risks of complications. We have a 95% success rate utilizing this procedure over the last 10 years.
