Neuroma Specialist

What is a neuroma?

A neuroma describes swelling in a nerve after direct trauma or compression on the nerve. This swelling can lead to permanent nerve damage.

One of the most common areas for a neuroma to develop is in the ball of your foot. This condition is likely to occur because of abnormal movements in metatarsals, the long bones of your foot behind the toes. Between the metatarsals, a small nerve that passes through can become pinched and swollen, forming a neuroma.

You can also develop Morton’s neuroma, a condition where the nerve between your second and third toes becomes pinched.

What are the symptoms of a neuroma?

The signs you may have a neuroma include a burning pain or tingling sensation in one or two of your toes. You may also experience numbness in the toes.

For many, pain can become so severe it limits their mobility and interferes with their quality of life. You may also feel a popping sensation when you walk.

The pain of a neuroma is often relieved by rubbing the ball of your foot. However, additional movements can trigger additional pain.

How is a neuroma diagnosed?

To determine if a neuroma is the root cause of your foot pain, Dr. Ebanks reviews your medical history and physically examines your affected foot. He may order diagnostic imaging tests, like X-rays or an MRI, to rule out conditions that have similar symptoms to a neuroma, such as stress fractures in the bones of toes or feet.

Once he confirms a neuroma, Dr. Ebanks customizes a treatment plan that focuses on relieving your pain and enhancing your mobility.

How is a neuroma treated?

There are several treatment options for painful neuroma. Initially, Dr. Ebanks may recommend conservative treatments like cortisone injections that deliver anti-inflammatory medications directly into the affected nerve. You may also benefit from the use of orthotics, like shoe inserts that reduce pressure on the ball of your foot.

If you have significant pain that isn’t relieved with conventional treatments, Dr. Ebanks may recommend a procedure to chemically destroy the nerve responsible for your pain, known as chemical neurolysis. This involves a series of injections of ethanol into the nerve to permanently destroy its structure.

Dr. Ebanks also offers neuroma surgery that involves the removal of the nerve or special surgical techniques to ease chronic compression on the nerve.

If you’re limited by chronic pain in the ball of your foot, schedule a neuroma evaluation with Dr. Ebanks today at Foot and Ankle Clinic of MidFlorida by calling the office or by requesting an appointment online now.