Neuroma: A Dancer’s Dilemma
Dancing can put stress on the toes and the ball of the foot. If you’re wearing dance shoes, these can sometimes squeeze the toe area as well. Couple that with a flat foot or a high arch, and you might have paved your way to a bad case of neuroma, a nerve tissue growth that usually appears between the third and fourth toe.
Neuroma can be painful, even debilitating. Fortunately, Clifton Foot and Ankle Center has all the right tools to help.
Try the following steps:
- Wear shoes that have plenty of room in the front. Dancing shoes, especially those worn for ballet, tend to squeeze the toes together. The same is true for some workout shoes.
- Select shoes with sufficient padding for the ball of the foot. This can help support your feet and reduce the chance of neuroma developing.
If you develop neuroma, the Clifton Foot and Ankle Center is the place to seek treatment. Our experts are ready to help you deal with the pain, swelling, and numbness this difficult condition can present.
Here are some home treatment tips to get you started:
- Metatarsal pads provide extra cushioning and support to your feet.
- Rest your foot. Strain can worsen the condition.
- Massages can help with discomfort.
Regardless of what you try at home, you’ll want to see our specialists eventually. Neuromas can worsen if they aren’t treated promptly, so the earlier you seek help, the better.
Our professional, experienced team can assist in several ways:
- We’ll relieve pressure in the affected area. Supporting the ball of the foot helps with neuroma symptoms, and anti-inflammatory meds or cortisone injections soothe inflammation.
- Custom-fitted orthotics help with symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.
- For more severe cases, we will discuss surgery. An outpatient procedure removes the enlarged nerve and clears a path to healing.
Don’t let neuroma stop you from busting a move! Dr. Kenneth Wilhelm is here to help, and with more than fourteen years of expertise, he’ll have you back on the dance fall in no time. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call our office in Centreville (Fairfax County), Virginia, at (703) 996 – 3000. You can also contact us online!
