If you have a foot problem like a neuroma, then you know what it’s like to walk through life with pain. Your first instinct should be to consult an experienced podiatrist, but what do you do after you step out of the office?
We don’t want you to feel left to your own devices between appointments. That’s why Dr. Kelly Geoghan and our team equip you in this post with some basic home remedies and self-care strategies to help you manage your neuroma on your own.
A neuroma develops when the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes thickens. There aren’t any outward signs of a neuroma, but it can cause internal painful symptoms, as well as stinging, burning, or numbness in the affected toes. Some report feeling as if they’re standing or walking on a pebble or a fold in their sock.
Neuromas usually stem from irritation, excessive pressure, or injury to the nerve. You’re most at-risk for developing a neuroma if you:
Fortunately, neuromas respond well to treatment, especially when caught early, so we encourage you to make an appointment with Dr. Geoghan as soon as you notice symptoms. In many cases, you can manage and significantly reduce your neuroma conservatively. Here’s how.
If you have a mild neuroma, home remedies and lifestyle changes are often enough to effectively relieve your symptoms and resolve the condition.
We conduct a thorough review of your health history, assess the severity of your neuroma, and, if necessary, order an X-ray or MRI. Depending on your needs, we may recommend the following home remedies and/or self-care methods.
The two most basic and conservative treatments for pain conditions like neuroma are ice and pain medication. Try applying an ice pack to your affected foot or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the inflammation putting pressure on your nerve.
Ill-fitting footwear is one of the leading causes of a neuroma, so simply adjusting what you put on your feet can go a long way in relieving your symptoms and reduce the pressure on the irritated nerve.
We recommend finding shoes with adequate arch support, spacious toe boxes, low heels (no higher than two inches), and shock-absorbent soles. We can also help you find a shoe pad to further cushion your steps and support the affected area.
Massaging your feet not only helps relieve pain but can also reduce some of the compression on your nerves. Just be careful not to squeeze or rub your foot too hard. Talk to us about consulting a professional massage therapist if you're worried about making your neuroma worse with at-home massages.
Do you love high-impact activities like running and tennis? Does your job require you to be on your feet for hours at a time? Do you also have a neuroma?
Then it’s time to modify your daily activities. Swap high-impact activities for low-impact sports bike riding and swimming to get exercise without irritating your neuroma. We also encourage you to take regular breaks during the day to rest your feet.
Your feet bear every single pound of your body weight. And when you have a neuroma, they feel it all the more. We encourage all our patients to achieve and maintain a healthy weight to both support their overall health and reduce the stress on their feet. If you need help getting started, we can guide you towards the healthy habits you need to lose weight.
Sometimes, a neuroma won't respond to conservative treatment or home remedies. When that’s the case, we have comprehensive treatments to address severe or advanced cases, including:
In only the most serious cases do we recommend neurectomy — an outpatient procedure in which Dr. Geoghan removes the affected nerve.
If you have more questions about how to manage your neuroma, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call our Lutherville, Maryland, office or request an appointment online today.
