A neuroma is an inflamed nerve. In the foot, the most common place for a neuroma is between the third and fourth toes. The main nerve to your foot originates in the spine and travels down the back of the leg to the bottom of the foot and out to the toes. When the nerve becomes irritated, electrical or burning pain shoots out to the toes when walking. The second, third and fourth toes can become numb. There can be a sensation of walking on a lamp cord or a lump. Removing the shoe and massaging the ball of the foot can bring relief.
To help decrease the pain, try the following tips:
1. Rest. Every step you take aggravates the nerve. Decreasing the time on your feet will help decrease the inflammation. If you walk for exercise, try biking or swimming instead.
2. Avoid activities that aggravate the pain. Squatting, walking or running hills, climbing up and down stairs and carrying heavy items will increase the stress through the ball of the foot and irritate the nerve. Taking the stress off the nerve will help decrease the irritation, decrease the inflammation and accelerate healing.
3. Wear low-heel shoes. Any shoe (cowboy boots or high heeled dress shoes) will place excessive pressure on the ball of the foot. Keep the heel height below 1 inch.
4. Wear shoes with a wide toe box. If the toes are cramped together, this places pressure on the nerve, worsening the irritation. Your toes should have enough room to "wiggle".
5. Wear rigid shoes. Wearing flexible shoes increases the force placed through the ball of the foot. A rigid shoe with a rocker sole will decrease the pressure on the nerve.
6. Ice your foot. Placing ice of the ball of the foot for 20 minutes once or twice a day will decrease pain and inflammation.
7. Use contrast soaks. Start with 5 minutes of heat, then apply 5 minutes of ice, then switch back to heat and alternate for 20-30 minutes. Contrasting between hot and cold will help decrease the inflammation around the nerve.
8. Place a neuroma pad in your shoe. A neuroma pad (similar to a metatarsal pad) can be placed in the shoe, under the ball of the foot. The pad lifts up the bones in the foot to help decrease the pressure on the nerve. The pad should be placed behind the ball of the foot.
9. Slip inserts into your shoe. Make sure the insert you buy is an orthotic. The device should be semi-rigid to help control motion in the foot. These can be bought at your local running shop or sports store.
10. See your podiatrist. If the pain persists after taking these steps, make an appointment with your podiatrist.
Christine Dobrowolski is a podiatrist and the author of Those Aching Feet: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Common Foot Problems. To learn more about Dr. Dobrowolski and her book visit http://www.skipublishing.com. For information on products which help treat neuromas visit http://www.northcoastfootcare.com.
We've all seen patients who were far beyond the reach... Read More
If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),... Read More
There is the underlying assumption that modernity translates into better... Read More
Lamictal, or lamotrigine, is an anti-seizure medication that has been... Read More
According to Dr. Nathan Wei, "The hand and wrist are... Read More
What's Insomnia?Identifying insomnia is a little like the old joke... Read More
Infant acid reflux is quite common. People of all ages,... Read More
Many people today realize the importance of keeping their blood... Read More
Internet Pharmacies are convenient and quick, but some websites selling... Read More
Tumescent liposuction is done using a local aesthetic. A large... Read More
When a patient has a serious illness and there is... Read More
Ever given a piece of thought to how actually one... Read More
"The more we do to you, the less you seem... Read More
When Aspirin Isn't EnoughIt's surprising how clearly we can recall... Read More
The police arrive at the accident scene promptly. A driver... Read More
According to ongoing research about the needs of patients with... Read More
With the increasing price of prescription medications, many consumers are... Read More
In the case of Cerebral Palsy there is no one... Read More
At one moment, a life of activity consumed with enjoyable... Read More
Recently once taboo subjects like plastic surgery have become acceptable... Read More
The beginning is very much hard to spot as we... Read More
While everybody else is wandering around enjoying the spring weather,... Read More
Tea tree oil is the essential oil comes from the... Read More
We all know that there's no such thing as cheap... Read More
For the head of the trauma department at one of... Read More
The FDA issued a warning in July of 2005 on... Read More
What is a coronary heart attack?Are you at the risk... Read More
Many eye doctors believed until recently that if a child's... Read More
There is an undeniable connection between the occurrence of acid... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
Naproxen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory... Read More
This is a true story.Yesterday, I picked up a new... Read More
Lipitor is a drug intended to help lower cholesterol. The... Read More
A thick, yellowish nail with splotchy white areas is a... Read More
Propulsid was a popular nighttime heartburn drug before it was... Read More
The foremost benefit of buying prescription medicines and other medical... Read More
All medications, which include prescriptions, over-the-counter preparations, vitamin and mineral... Read More
Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 1 of 8For approximately... Read More
Intravenous Chelation was the most common practice until a few... Read More
A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part... Read More
According to the Los Angeles Times, the California Association of... Read More
Medical Assistant distance education is emerging to meet the demands... Read More
Technology. We live in a grand time of technological development.... Read More
Hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgical... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so I may modify this... Read More
1. Seeing a doctor who's not board-certified or a doctor... Read More
(NC)-In most cases insect bites are harmless and if left... Read More
This year, the New York Medical Spa Expo confirmed the... Read More
In the early nineties, Redux was the original miracle diet... Read More
More and more people have started travelling to India for... Read More
Recent controversy about the safety of pain medications for arthritis... Read More
Resperate is natural and powerful and it puts you in... Read More
Are you currently on one or more pharmaceutical drugs? Perhaps... Read More
When you (or loved ones) are taking prescription or over... Read More
We all know that there's no such thing as cheap... Read More
Australian scientists say they have identified a toxin which plays... Read More
Tendons are ropes of fibrous tissue that connect muscles to... Read More
NEW YORK, N.Y., February 18, 2004 ? On a visit... Read More
At the urging of the Food and Drug Administration, the... Read More
In continuation of mood enhancement drugs for kids and adolescents,... Read More
There are five basic types of drugstore laxatives you should... Read More
The word Antibiotic is constructed from Greek words anti, which... Read More
America's war on drugs, which has been fought in the... Read More
By now, you have probably heard of the prescription drug... Read More
Personal injury attorneys representing clients who have allegedly been harmed... Read More
Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania... Read More
Medicine |