Let me guess, you've been wearing high heeled boots and pumps this winter and spring, but found that there were times that you experienced pain between the toes or numbness or tingling in the ball of the foot. What did you do? Chalk it up to the shoes being too tight or slightly too high? That may have been the case, but most likely your feet were telling you that you have a problem. You might have also thought that you were pinching a nerve. If you had that thought, you were probably correct. A “pinched nerve” is called a neuroma. If you have ever experienced the feeling of tingling, numbness between the third and fourth toes, and pain, you most likely have a neuroma. Not everyone has this though, so it’s time to stop and consider what is happening to your foot.
I started this blog by talking about high heels, because women are more prone to having neuromas. Just ask any women with condition and they will tell you that once they stop walking and take off the shoe, they start to feel relief. It’s not a condition that is experienced every day, unless one wears high heels or shoes that aggravate the neuroma.
If you or someone you know and love has suffered through or complained about this happening to them, make an appointment for a proper diagnosis. This is important because neuromas will get worse over time and can eventually lead to surgical treatment. Prior to the appointment, start adopting a few good habits and relief from the pain.
First off, stop wearing the shoes that are causing the pain and trade them for a shoe that has plenty of toe room. Look for over the counter shoe pads and shoes with shock absorbent shoes that will keep pressure off of the foot and toes. Give yourself a foot massage and apply ice afterwards to alleviate pain.
Image by VirtKitty. (2012). MRI of my left foot showing Morton's Neuroma. Flickr. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/lalouque/6675179295/
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