Do All Neuromas Eventually Need Surgery?

Having a pebble in your shoe is one of the uniquely annoying human experiences. Even if it doesn’t hurt, that sensation of something pressing on your foot is bothersome. Most people will stop, unlace the shoe, and dump it out as soon as they notice that feeling.

But what if you shake out your shoe and the sensation persists? That’s the reality for people with Morton’s neuroma. 

The telltale sign of this foot condition is the sensation of a pebble in your shoe pressing on the ball of your foot. The pain might feel sharp, and some people also experience tingling or numbness. Fortunately, neuromas are treatable, often without surgery.

If all of this sounds familiar, visit our team at Rogers Foot & Ankle Institute in American Fork or Saratoga Springs, Utah. We specialize in diagnosing and treating neuromas. 

What you can do about Morton’s neuroma

Neuromas can technically develop anywhere in your body, but they’re most common in your foot. When you get this issue in the ball of your foot, it’s called a Morton’s (or sometimes simply Morton) neuroma. 

The neuroma develops because something irritates your nerve tissue, causing it to thicken. That irritation could come from overly tight shoes, high heels, or overuse (e.g., from frequent athletic activity). 

With Morton's neuroma, the irritant-caused thickening happens in the nerve tissue between your third and fourth toes. 

Fortunately, conservative treatment options can go a long way toward relieving the resulting pain. Many of our patients see lasting relief by:

• Choosing wider shoes
• Avoiding high heels
• Inserting custom orthotics in their shoes
• Using anti-inflammatory treatments like medication or corticosteroid injections

Research shows that conservative treatment makes symptoms manageable for about 80% of people. The sooner you seek care, the more likely you are to see success with non-surgical treatment. 

If your neuroma has bothered you for a while, you might need surgery to resolve it. 

Surgery as a last resort

We always recommend trying conservative treatment options first. We monitor your progress to see how the options we implement improve your symptoms. If you’re still experiencing foot pain, we can explore surgery.

Our experienced surgeons use a specialized procedure to remove the thickened tissue. This alleviates the pressure on the affected nerve to eliminate your foot pain. People typically recover from neuroma surgery within a few weeks. 

All of that said, most people can avoid surgery for their neuroma by getting care for it as soon as they start noticing symptoms. If you think your foot might have this problem, contact us to make an appointment by calling (801) 756-4200 today.