Neuromas or Pinched Nerve Treatment Options
Medical Treatment of Nerves of the Foot in Millsboro and Seaford, DE
We Provide Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
Morton’s neuroma is a condition that causes inflammation of the nerves of the foot. At Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle, we provide minimally invasive Morton’s neuroma treatments in Millsboro and Seaford, DE. In most cases, we can relieve symptoms of Morton’s neuroma using lifestyle and activity modification, physical therapy, orthotics, and pain management techniques. If you’re interested in learning more about our treatment options for nerves of the foot, call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced podiatrists.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma affects the ball of the foot, usually the area between the third and fourth toes. The condition occurs when the tissue surrounding the nerves of the foot thickens, usually because the nerve was previously damaged or irritated. As the nerve thickens and enlarges, it causes pain when walking, or it may feel like you’re standing or walking on a small stone or pebble. Our team of doctors and specialists may not be able to determine the underlying cause of the damage to the nerves of the foot. Still, certain activities increase your risk of nerve damage and Morton's neuroma, including:
● Wearing narrow shoes.
● Wearing high heels.
● Wearing shoes that have pointed toes.
● Wearing shoes that are too small.
● Playing a sport that exerts pressure on the balls of your feet, like running or racquet sports.
● Doing physical work or being on your feet all day.
You might also be at a higher risk of developing Morton’s neuroma or another condition that affects the nerves of the foot if you have:
● Flat feet.
● High arches.
● Bunions.
● Hammer toes.
● Previous foot injuries or foot trauma.
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma
The most common symptoms of Morton’s neuroma are:
● Nerve pain.
● A feeling like you’re standing on a pebble or stone.
● Tingling or numbness in the foot.
● Stinging or burning pain in the toes.
● Worsening symptoms when you move, apply weight to the foot or wear tight or high-heeled shoes.
What Does Nerve Pain Feel Like?
Nerve pain feels like a shooting, stabbing, or burning pain that extends down the length of the nerve. Nerve pain can radiate through multiple areas of the body, which can sometimes make it difficult to determine exactly what area is injured or damaged. One of the earliest symptoms of nerve pain is an itching or burning feeling that might feel like rash or sunburn. Other times, nerve pain feels like someone is stabbing you with a sharp needle or rubbing your skin with sandpaper.
How We Diagnose Morton’s Neuroma
In order to diagnose Morton’s neuroma, we will first perform a physical examination, and we may ask you to complete specific simple activities in front of us so we can assess your posture, balance, and gait. We will ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical and surgical history. We may use our hands to place light pressure on the spaces between your toe bones. If necessary, we may perform an ultrasound to assess the condition of the nerves of the foot or an electromyography to measure the electrical activity of the nerves and muscles. We may take an x-ray of your foot to rule out other causes of foot pain, like arthritis, stress fractures, and deformities.
Our Nerve Pain Treatment Options
● Custom Orthotics – We can create custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, that offer support and cushioning and reduce the pressure placed on the nerves of the foot. Orthotics can also make sure your ties are in the correct position.
● Activity and Lifestyle Modification – We recommend that you switch to shoes that take pressure off the nerves of the foot, typically meaning shoes that are wide, with deep toe boxes. We also may recommend rest and elevation to relieve inflammation and pain, as well as ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications like Advil or Aleve. We may suggest that you avoid sports or other activities that place pressure on the nerves of the foot.
● Injections – Injections of steroids or local anesthetics into the nerves of the foot can relieve pain and aid in healing.
● Surgery – If other Morton’s neuroma treatment options are ineffective, and your symptoms are preventing you from living a full, healthy life, we may recommend surgery. A neurectomy is the removal of part of the nerve tissue, which can relieve pressure and pain and restore mobility and function.
Schedule a Consultation for Nerve Pain Treatment
If you have nerve pain in your foot that lasts more than a few days, you should schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. We can assess you for symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, determine if you have a condition affecting the nerves of the foot, and provide effective, minimally invasive nerve pain treatment in Millsboro and Seaford, DE. Our Morton’s neuroma treatment includes custom orthotics, pain management, steroid injections, activity modification and physical therapy, and surgery.
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