Can You Prevent a Neuroma?

Roughly 1 in 3 people will experience an uncomfortable foot problem called Morton’s neuroma. This issue develops when nerve tissue in your foot gets inflamed as a result of repeated compression. The thickened tissue causes mild discomfort in its early days. Left unchecked, though, it can make it painful to take even a single step. 

Because this issue is so common and can be so debilitating, we offer dedicated neuroma care here at Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist in Homer Glen and New Lenox, Illinois. At both of our offices, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, can determine if your foot pain is coming from a neuroma. If so, we can help you identify steps to prevent it from getting worse.

Understanding neuroma

To get a good feel for the most effective preventive care, it’s helpful to understand what neuromas are and how they’re caused.

You can get a neuroma — an area of nerve tissue that’s thicker than normal because of inflammation — anywhere on your body, but this problem is most common in your feet. In fact, foot neuromas are so prevalent they have a specific name. When you get a neuroma between your toes, it’s called a Morton’s neuroma. 

The neuroma develops because the nerves in that area continually get squeezed, irritating them. In many cases, shoes are to blame. In fact, Morton’s neuromas are significantly more common in women largely because of high-heeled and narrow-toed shoes. 

The irritated nerve tissue causes symptoms like pain and tenderness. At first, you might be able to get relief by taking off your shoe and rubbing the area. Left unchecked, the neuroma can worsen, causing:

• Stinging 
• Pins-and-needles
• Numbness
• The feeling that there’s a rock in your shoe or your sock is bunched up

You might also notice that certain types of shoes, especially tight-fitting ones, make your symptoms worse. 

Preventing a neuroma — and stopping one from getting worse 

Here’s the good news: You can avoid a neuroma by making certain choices for your foot health. Even better, you may be able to reverse a neuroma with these changes, especially if you catch and address the issue early.

You probably won’t be surprised to hear that a lot of this comes down to your shoes. Ideally, you want footwear with plenty of room in the toe box. Your foot shouldn’t feel cramped in any way. Giving your feet ample room to spread out helps them stay healthy by avoiding nerve compression. 

If you already have a neuroma, we can help you explore other easy changes to improve it. We might recommend orthotics or modifications to your exercise routine, for example. 

Whether you think you might have a neuroma and want targeted care, or you want to talk to an expert about preventing this and other foot problems, we’re here. For personalized podiatric care, call Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist or schedule an appointment online today.