Neuromas:

IDENTIFYING
AND TREATING
A PINCHED
NERVE IN
THE FOOT

KCFoot.com
 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

Pain or burning to the ball of

your foot? Swelling between
your toes, or numbness or
tingling in the ball of your
foot? Pain in the ball of your
foot when you walk? You
might have a nerve tumor —
better known as a neuroma.

Neuromas are the result of damage to

the nerve that results in scarring around
the nerve, causing pain and swelling.
Severe neuromas can make walking
uncomfortable and require treatment to
alleviate the symptoms. Sometimes, a
pinched nerve in the foot will resolve itself
without treatment, but receiving care
can help to relieve pain and resolve the
problem. Let’s look at some of the causes
and treatment options for neuromas.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

CAUSES OF A NEUROMA
A neuroma can be debilitating and make daily life difficult.
It is common for symptoms to gradually build over months.
Although the exact causes for a neuroma in the foot are not
completely understood, there are several common issues that
lead to their development:

Poorly fitting shoes

A common concern for developing a pinched nerve in the foot is
poorly fitting shoes. Shoes that are not long enough can cause the
toes to curl. Shoes that are too narrow can force the toes together
and push them forward. Improperly fitting shoes can cause undue
pressure to the ball of the foot and lead to a neuroma.

To avoid nerve damage, choose shoes that meet the following criteria:

• Wear shoes that provide a wide toe box, giving the toes plenty of
room to move when laced.

• Buy shoes with shock-absorbent soles.

• Invest in high quality insoles that relieve pressure from the

bottom of the foot.

• When experiencing foot pain, replace your shoes if worn. Rest

and massage your feet regularly .

Too often, we see patients not being able to identify shoes that
don’t fit properly. If you find it difficult to determine the right shoe
size, a foot specialist can help you to identify issues with the shoes
that you are wearing and direct you toward footwear that will
improve foot function.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

Trauma and stress

Neuromas may be caused by trauma and excessive stress on the
foot. Individuals who put consistent strain on the foot, such as
runners, are more likely to develop a pinched nerve in the foot,
especially with ill-fitting shoes.

If you experience pain after prolonged walking or running, give your

feet a chance to rest before resuming activity.

Bone structure/Genetics
Some are born with a foot structure that may put excessive stress
through the ball of the foot. Neuromas are commonly seen in
those that have arch issues in their feet, such as high arches or
flat feet. Those that have arch issues/structural deformities and
experience foot pain should pay careful attention to the shoes
that they purchase and consider buying insoles that help to
alleviate the issue.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

SYMPTOMS
Some of the most common symptoms of a neuroma include:

• NUMBNESS. Neuromas are most common between the third

and fourth toes. They often cause the toes to feel numb or tingle,
similar to a foot that is falling asleep. You may notice that the
foot feels weak and is unable to stand up to your usual daily
routine. The numbness gradually progresses over time

• TWITCHING OR SPASMS. Some patients may experience

twitching or spasms in the foot, typically in the affected area.
Some describe the sensation of a pinched foot nerve as feeling
like they are being pricked with pins and needles, others may not
notice their neuroma until the condition becomes more serious.

• SWELLING. Neuromas may cause a swelling to the ball of the

foot, which may disappear and come back throughout your time
dealing with the neuroma.

As time goes on, the pain and related symptoms of your neuroma
may increase, especially when wearing shoes or walking.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

TREATMENT
Most neuromas are progressive, gradually getting worse over time.
For the best results, It is important to be aggressive with treatment
as soon as symptoms appear. There are several treatments that can
relieve pain and facilitate the healing process:

Ice
Ice the painful areas on the bottom and top of the foot for 20
minutes several times throughout the day. This will decrease
swelling and reduce pain.

Orthotics and shoes

Early neuroma symptoms can be reduced and healing improved by
improving foot function.Choosing shoes with proper arch support
and wide toe box is essential. Over the counter arch supports and
help to improve foot function. In difficult foot types, a custom
made orthotic is needed to control the foot. Tight, poorly fitting
shoes are often a cause for pinched nerves in the foot, and also
play a critical role in the amount of pain felt once a pinched nerve
is already present.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

Cortisone injections
Cortisone injections are a common treatment for neuromas.
These injections work to reduce inflammation and scarring
around the nerve. By reducing the swelling and scarring, this
can reduce the mechanical irritation of the nerve and improve
symptoms. These injections may be given in a series several
weeks apart depending on results.

Medications
Although there are no medications that help to cure or prevent
neuromas, there are options for managing the pain and swelling
they cause. Using a non steroidal medication such as aleve or
advil can help reduce inflammation around the nerve and improve
symptoms. Taking these on a regular basis can make daily activity
more tolerable.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

Surgery
In cases where the neuroma does not resolve with conservative
treatments, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the
damaged nerve.

Once the problem has become chronic, usually permanent nerve

damage has already occurred. Surgery involves removing the
damaged nerve. This is normally performed on an outpatient basis
under IV sedation. This is usually quite successful in resolving
chronic problems. Prior to surgery the doctor will discuss the
procedure and postoperative course.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

PREVENTION
OF NEUROMAS
There are steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of pinched
nerves in the foot. While these steps are helpful for anyone that is
worried about developing neuromas, they are particularly important
for those with high arches, flat feet, or those that have experienced
a neuroma in the past.

• Wear shoes with shock absorbent soles. Shock absorbent soles

help to take some of the impact off of the foot and reduce stress
on the areas of the foot that are typically affected.

• Wear shoes with proper arch support, especially when being

physically active. Proper arch support is very important for
healthy feet. Those with arch issues are more likely to experience
a pinched nerve, and should wear shoes or use insoles with
quality arch support.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

• Invest in orthotic insoles. Using extra arch support can help

to keep the foot in a more natural and healthy position within
the shoe. You can buy highly rated insoles from a store or have
insoles custom made. Custom insoles are an excellent choice for
those that have experienced neuromas or other foot problems.

• Avoid high heels. High heel wearers are more likely to experience
a pinched nerve. They possess all traits that should be avoided
when trying to prevent nerve issues in the foot. They push
the toes together and forward, put the foot in an unnatural
position, and force the wearer to change the way that they walk
to accommodate them. Those that are worried about pinched
nerves or have dealt with them in the past should avoid high
heels completely.

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 IDENTIFYING AND TREATING A PINCHED NERVE IN THE FOOT

• Maintain a healthy weight. Because added stress on the foot

can put you at risk for a pinched nerve, overweight individuals
should strive to maintain a healthy weight to reduce the
neuroma occurring.

Whether you have had a neuroma in the

past or are worried about developing one,
the best way to prevent them is to practice
proper healthcare for your feet. Feet take
a beating from daily walking, and taking
simple steps like investing in shoes with
excellent arch support, using orthotic shoe
inserts and regularly stretching your feet
can help to reduce the chances of a pinched
nerve in the ball of the foot.

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How Kansas City Foot Specialists, P.A.
can help
If you are currently suffering from a painful
neuroma or pain to the ball of the foot,
Kansas City Foot Specialists can help. We put
together a custom treatment plan for every
patient that suffers from neuromas, starting
with non-invasive options.

If you would like help treating and preventing

problems with your feet, please contact us
today to speak with our foot care specialists
about your treatment options. the type of
surgery needed.