Neuromas

A Neuroma is a painful soft tissue growth/thickening of a nerve. It occurs most commonly in nerves on the bottom of the foot, usually the nerve to the 3rd and 4th toes. A Neuroma at this site is called MORTONS NEUROMA.

Neuromas are more common in ladies 40-60 years of age. The symptoms are usually:

• Pain or burning in the ball of foot

• Numbness in the toes supplied by the nerve

• Shooting pains or cramping sensation

• Clicking in foot

• Patient feels a need to remove their footwear and massage foot.

Can Neuromas be cured without surgery?

There is no evidence to support the use of foot supports or toe separators in the treatment of Neuromas.

What are the treatment options?

After a clinical diagnosis is made, it may be necessary to send you for an ultrasound scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Initially some patients with less severe symptoms will be offered Cortisone injections, which are 30% successful. If there is no improvement often an excision of the Neuroma will be the treatment of choice.

The operation is very successful (about 80-90%). It is performed as a day case under Local Anaesthesia.

An incision is made on the top of the foot, to ensure you don’t have a scar on the sole of your foot, which could potentially be very painful.

The recovery is rapid, and patients are often wearing their own shoes after one week and may return to work after about two weeks.