Get Rid of Neuroma Pain
the complete guide toNeuroma Cryosurgery
Fast recovery after surgery!
- no casts
- no crutches
- no risk of stump neuroma complication
Everything you need to know when considering neuroma surgery.
For people who experience neuroma pain and want to understand how to heal it.
Names: metatarsalgia, Intermetatarsal neuroma, and Intermetatarsal space neuroma
Cryosurgery of Neuroma
What Is Morton's Neuroma?
A Morton’s neuroma is inflammation (swelling), thickening, or enlargement of the nerve between the bones of the toes (metatarsal bones). The condition is also called intermetatarsal neuroma. The thickening is usually found between bones of the third and fourth toes of the foot, but often can develop between the second and third toes, as well. It occurs when the nerve becomes compressed (squeezed) or irritated, possibly because the metatarsal bones press against the nerve in the narrow gap between the toes. If it is not treated, a plantar interdigital neuroma can cause a sharp, burning, or shooting pain that often gets worse over time. The pain becomes worse when a person walks or stands on the ball of the foot or wears higher-heeled shoes. Pain can spread into the nearby toes, and can give the feeling of a bunched-up sock.
What is Stump Neuroma?
Stump neuroma occurs as a result of actually cutting a nerve. A cryo- procedure does not injure the nerve. There is never any cutting of nerve and therefore the regrowth of a “stump” cannot occur. In conventional neuroma surgery, stump neuroma is considered a rare but very painful complication. Our experience with cryosurgery can reduce your pain without risk.
Who Gets Morton's Neuroma?
People who are born with flat feet, high arches, or an abnormal position of the toes are more prone to developing Morton’s neuroma. This may be due to instability around the toe joints. Certain conditions that develop over time, such as bunions or hammer toes, are also associated with Morton’s neuroma. Some sports that involve running, including tennis and other racquet sports, and the elliptical forces, increase pressure on the ball of the foot, and can also increase the chance of developing Morton’s neuroma due to trauma or injury to the foot.
What Are the Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma?
Pain, often intermittent, is the main symptom of Morton’s neuroma. It may feel like a burning pain in the ball or your foot or like you’re standing on a marble or pebble in your shoe or a bunched-up sock.
Your toes may feel numb or tingle as the pain radiates out. You may have difficulty walking normally because of the pain. You won’t have any noticeable swelling on your foot, though.
Sometimes you may have Morton’s neuroma without any symptoms. A small study from 2000 reviewed medical records from 85 people who had their feet imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study found that 33 percent of the participants had Morton’s neuroma but no pain.
How Is Morton's Neuroma Diagnosed?
You should visit a doctor or podiatrist (foot doctor) if you have pain or tingling that is affecting your ability to walk pain-free. Your physician will examine your feet and will apply pressure on the spaces between the bones of the toes to determine the location of the foot pain.
The doctor may order X-rays to rule out other conditions associated with foot pain, such as a stress fracture or arthritis. X-rays alone will not show whether or not a neuroma is present, so an ultrasound scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test may be done to make sure the diagnosis is correct.
A diagnostic procedure called an electromyography is sometimes used to rule out nerve conditions that may cause symptoms like those of Morton’s neuroma. Usually, the diagnosis can be made by your symptoms and physical exam alone.
When Is Surgery Performed?
When medications or other treatments do not work, foot surgery may be needed. The most common surgical procedure for treating Morton’s neuroma is a neurectomy, in which part of the nerve tissue is removed.
A procedure that may be performed before a neurectomy, or in place of a neurectomy, is called cryo surgery of neuroma. During this procedure, extremely cold temperatures are applied to the nerves to destroy nerve cells and the myelin sheath that covers the nerve. The temperatures used in cryosurgery range from -50 degrees to -70 degrees Celsius. Patients who have cryogenic neuroablation are less likely to see symptoms return.
Surgery is effective in relieving or reducing symptoms of Morton’s neuroma in about 75% to 85% of all cases.
What Causes Morton's Neuroma?
The exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is not known, but the choice of footwear seems to be a factor. Wearing high heels (shoes with heels more than 2 inches high) can put extra pressure on the balls of the feet. Wearing tight-fitting narrow or pointed-toed shoes may squeeze the toes together or limit their movement. For that reason, women are about 8 to 10 times more likely to develop a Morton’s neuroma compared with men.
Another possible cause is a foot or gait abnormality, which can lead to instability and can also put pressure on a nerve in your foot.
Morton’s neuroma is often associated with:
• flat feet
• high arches
• bunions
• hammer toes
It’s also associated with activities such as repetitive sports activities that increase pressure on the ball of the foot and sports that require tight shoes.
Sometimes, a neuroma results from injury to the foot.
Morton's Neuroma Recovery. What Can You Expect?
Patients treated with cryosurgery have minimal pain in the recovery phase. Casts or crutches are not required after the surgery and the patients can return to their pre-procedure life after just a couple days in the recovery phase. It can take up to four weeks for the full effect of the cryoablation procedure on Morton’s neuroma. For more information on this option call us now: 314-207-7280
Cryo Neuroma Surgery
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Why Choose Feet For Life
Feet For Life Centers located in St. Louis and Chesterfield MO offer the most innovative and up-to-date solutions in treating Morton’s Neuroma. You can expect little downtime, fast healing, minimal scarring, and minimal chance of complications when you choose to be treated at our Center. Read about our State-Of-The-Art Surgery Center Here.
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Dr. Horwitz is the leading podiatrist in the country and top podiatric surgeon in Midwest. His commitment to professionalism through extensive research, innovation and practice along with providing the best possible care in a patient friendly medical environment has given him a great reputation and trust among thousands of his patients.
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