What is a neuroma?
A neuroma is an inflammation of a foot nerve due to an accumulation of tension in the area. This will cause pain at the ball of your feet and is usually described as a sharp, paralyzing sensation. A neuroma can also cause numbness around the toes. When left untreated, a neuroma will get bigger with time. As a neuroma gets bigger, it will create more pain with every movement of the foot.
What causes a neuroma?
A neuroma is caused by excessive friction or compression of the nerve between two bones of the foot. The nerve, in an attempt to protect itself from the surrounding pressure, will get thicker. The thickening of the nerve will cause a neuroma to take up even more space in between the bones of the foot. The longer this vicious cycle goes on, the more painful the neuroma becomes.
