Symptoms

Neuroma pain is classically described as a burning pain in the forefoot. It can also be felt as an aching or shooting pain in the forefoot. Patients with this problem frequently say they feel like they want to take off their shoes and rub their foot. It may occur in the middle of a run or at the end of a long run. If your shoes are quite tight it may occur very early in the run.

Cause

The source of this pain is an enlargment of the sheath of an intermetatarsal nerve in the foot. This usually occurs in the third intermetatarsal space, the space between the third and fourth toes and metatarsals. It occurs here because this is the area in which the intermetatarsal nerve is thickest because it is made up of joining of several different nerves.

Pronation of the foot can cause the metatarsal heads to rotate slightly and pinch the nerve running between the metatarsal heads. This chronic pinching can make the nerve sheath enlarge. As it enlarges it than becomes more squeezed and increasingly troublesome.

Self-Treatment

• Wear wide toe box shoes
• Don't lace the forefoot part of your shoe too tight
• Make sure your feet are in supportive shoes and also that they are not being squeezed

Medical Treatment that can work if self-treatment fails:

• Orthotics
• Injection of Steroid
• Surgical Removal of Neuroma
• Probably best done in that order

Of course no two people are the same. We would be happy to discuss your unique foot condition. You can always reach us:

1. Call and talk to a Doctor
2. Send your concerns and questions to us via E-mail
3. Visit and participate in our chat room
4. Arrange for a free in-office consultation.