The nerves in your feet transmit your feet’s sensations and stimulations to your brain. These nerves allow you to be able to feel your surroundings. However, a condition known as neuroma affects the function of these nerves. A neuroma is the inflammation of the tissues around the nerves in your feet, often targeting the area between the third and fourth toes from your big toe. As a result, you experience very undesirable symptoms like intense foot discomfort. Fortunately, Neuroma Wappingers Falls specialists can effectively respond to this condition with conservative and surgical treatment, depending on your condition. Continue reading to check out some common treatments for this condition.
1. Physical Therapy Exercises
Often, physical therapy has proved to be very helpful in curing neuroma discomfort. Therefore, you must refrain from brushing off this treatment, especially while using other methods like surgeries and medications.
Your doctor recommends physical therapy because it aids in speeding the healing and minimizing the discomfort. Some examples of this physical therapy are; toe exercises, stretching and massage, and ankle exercises. A gait evaluation is also necessary to determine if you are at risk of an increasing neuroma.
2. Medications
Since the main cause of the discomfort comes from the nerve, many medications are ready to relieve you of the pain. However, the discomfort medications alone have proved too frequently ineffective in combination treatment. At Hudson Valley Foot Associates, the medications minimize the pain so you can perform physical therapy. These medications include Tylenol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline and Duloxetine. If these medications combined with physical therapy do not work, you should visit your doctor to get directives.
3. Ice Therapy
The ice is used to reduce the swelling in the discomforting area. This procedure is done twice daily for about twenty minutes, particularly in the evening. However, you should avoid this treatment if you are affected by sensations or circulation issues on your foot.
Contrast therapy is another method where ice is applied first, and then heat follows. The ice and heating pads are each alternately applied for about twenty minutes. The contrast between cold and hot will increase pressure and blood flow in the affected tissues. As a result, the healing process will be quick. Although neuroma is not an inflammatory disease, it happens with inflammatory conditions like bursitis; thus, ice can be very helpful.
4. Shoes And Orthotics
The pain you experience when you have neuroma is determined by your shoes, especially if they are tight. Therefore, you should avoid shoes like high heels and wear wide shoes when diagnosed with neuroma.
Additionally, try custom orthotics, which aid you with discomfort by reducing the pressure and preventing further swelling. You should wear shoes with enough space in the toe box so that the orthotic can perform its function.
5. Surgery
This method uses neurectomy, neuro ablation, and decompression surgery. First, the parts of the nerve tissue are extracted, then frozen, and finally decompressed to release the pressure on the nerve. After this medication, you should lift your foot and minimize activities to speed up recovery.
Do not allow neuroma to continue disrupting your life quality any longer. Take the first step and visit Hudson Valley Foot Associates, where Dr. Michael and his team will look into your condition and address the issue appropriately. Visit any office near you or schedule a consultation online or via mobile.