A neuroma is a benign nerve sheath tumor that develops in the bottom of the foot. It usually occurs on the plantar surface of the foot. Still, it can also develop on the dorsal surface of the foot. Colorado Springs neuroma is commonly diagnosed during adolescence or early adulthood. It is generally asymptomatic and painless but can cause pain when pressure is applied to them or when a shoe is removed.
What are the causes of a neuroma?
Neuromas are caused by pressure on the nerve, which results in inflammation and swelling. This is most commonly caused by an overuse injury or repetitive movements of the affected muscle, such as running or weightlifting. Neuromas can develop from the irritation of a pinched nerve or prolonged pressure on a nerve.
The most common cause of neuroma is irritation from a pinched nerve that results in inflammation and swelling.
In most cases, exercise-related neuromas are caused by biomechanical forces on the nerve, such as repetitive motions of the spine or repetitive movements of the lower limbs during exercise. Other causes include;
Muscle spasms: Muscle spasms can occur when someone is lying down, sitting, or standing up. The muscle spasms can cause pressure on the spinal cord, causing it to swell, and the swelling may lead to neuroma formation.
Sciatica: Sciatica is inflammation of the sciatic nerve as it passes through the hip and down into the back of the thigh. This causes pain, numbness, and tingling in your leg and foot, as well as other symptoms such as weakness and numbness in your lower body muscles and bladder control problems. If the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed because of a herniated disc or other condition, this can cause similar symptoms to those caused by sciatica. This condition has been linked with neuroma formation and other conditions, including stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and lupus.
Neuroma treatment options
Neuroma treatment involves removing the neuroma and restoring normal function to the affected area.
There are several surgical options:
Open surgery: The surgeon makes a small incision in the affected area and removes the neuroma using a knife, drill, or scissors. The incision is closed with stitches.
Endoscopic surgery: Endoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses an endoscope to visualize internal structures through a small, flexible tube. A surgeon inserts an endoscope into the body via tiny incisions in your skin. They perform surgery on your spine or knee joint using specially designed instruments guided by images from the endoscope. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically does not require stitches.
Corticosteroid injection: If a neuroma is causing pain or discomfort, your doctor will likely recommend a corticosteroid injection to help relieve the pressure in your foot. This short-term treatment may be recommended if you experience numbness, tingling, or burning in your foot.
The neuroma treatment will depend on the extent of the injury and your symptoms. A health expert from the Foot and Ankle Institute of Colorado may recommend surgery or recommend that you try physical therapy to help relieve your discomfort.
