Morton's neuroma is a painful condition involving thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. It is often caused by repetitive pressure, wearing improper footwear, high-impact activities, or abnormal foot mechanics that compress the nerve. Symptoms include burning pain in the ball of the foot, tingling, numbness, and the sensation of standing on a small pebble. When conservative treatments do not relieve discomfort, surgery may be recommended to remove the affected nerve tissue and reduce persistent pain. A podiatrist can diagnose the condition, provide conservative care, and determine whether surgery is appropriate. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide a diagnosis and treatment.

Foot surgery is sometimes necessary to treat a foot ailment. To learn more, contact one of our podiatrists of Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors will assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs.

When Is Surgery Necessary?

Foot and ankle surgery is generally reserved for cases in which less invasive, conservative procedures have failed to alleviate the problem. Some of the cases in which surgery may be necessary include:

• Removing foot deformities like bunions and bone spurs
• Severe arthritis that has caused bone issues
• Cosmetic reconstruction

What Types of Surgery Are There?

The type of surgery you receive will depend on the nature of the problem you have. Some of the possible surgeries include:

• Bunionectomy for painful bunions
• Surgical fusion for realignment of bones
• Neuropathy decompression surgery to treat nerve damage

Benefits of Surgery

Although surgery is usually a last resort, it can provide more complete pain relief compared to non-surgical methods and may allow you to finally resume full activity.

Surgical techniques have also become increasingly sophisticated. Techniques like endoscopic surgery allow for smaller incisions and faster recovery times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cleveland, Independence, and Kent, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A plantar fibroma is a firm, noncancerous growth that develops within the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. A fibroma typically appears as a small, noticeable lump in the arch that may gradually increase in size. The exact cause is not always clear, but genetic factors are believed to play a role, and repeated foot strain or trauma may contribute to its development. Symptoms can include localized tenderness, discomfort while walking, and a sensation of pressure when standing for long periods of time. Although some fibromas remain painless, others may interfere with daily activities. A podiatrist can evaluate the growth and recommend supportive care or advanced treatment options. If you have signs of a plantar fibroma, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment.

A plantar fibroma may disrupt your daily activities. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Plantar Fibroma

A plantar fibroma is a fibrous knot in the arch of the foot. It is embedded in the plantar fascia which is a band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toes along the bottom of the foot. There can be multiple plantar fibromas in the feet at the same time. There are no known causes for this condition. If you have a plantar fibroma, there will be a bump in the arch of your foot that cannot be missed. Any associated pain is most often due to a shoe rubbing against the nodule. Non-surgical options, such as steroid injections, physical therapy, and orthotics should be tried first. Surgery is a last resort and is the only thing that will remove a plantar fibroma entirely. Consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and to determine the treatment regimen that is right for you.

What Causes a Plantar Fibroma?

While there are no specific causes identified, a plantar fibroma can possibly come from genetic predisposition or the formation of scar tissue that forms from healing the tears in the plantar fascia.

What Are the Symptoms of a Plantar Fibroma?

There will be a noticeable lump in the arch of the foot that may or may not cause pain. If pain is felt, it is typically because a shoe is rubbing up against the lump or when walking or standing barefoot.

Treatment and Prevention

A plantar fibroma will not disappear without treatment, but it can get smaller and be a non-issue. If pain persists, a podiatrist examines the foot and when the arch of the foot is pressed, pain can be felt down to the toes. An MRI or biopsy might be performed to help diagnose or evaluate the plantar fibroma. The following non-surgical options are generally enough to reduce the size and pain of these nodules:

• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Physical therapy to help apply anti-inflammatory creams on the bump 

Surgery is considered if the mass increases in size and the patient continues to feel pain after non-surgical methods are tried.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cleveland, Independence, and Kent, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the nerves between the toes, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. It occurs when the nerve becomes thickened or compressed, often due to repetitive stress, wearing tight footwear, or abnormal foot mechanics. Symptoms typically include sharp or burning pain, tingling, numbness, and a feeling of something being stuck in the shoe. Risk factors include wearing high heels or narrow shoes, participating in high-impact activities, and having certain foot structures like flat feet or high arches. A podiatrist can evaluate the foot, provide orthotic support, recommend footwear modifications, and offer treatment to reduce pain and prevent progression. If you have pain in this part of your foot, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can accurately diagnose and treat what may be going on.

Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions.  

Morton’s Neuroma

Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones.

What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?

• Ill-fitting high heels or shoes that add pressure to the toe or foot
• Jogging, running or any sport that involves constant impact to the foot
• Flat feet, bunions, and any other foot deformities

Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cleveland, Independence, and Kent, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

An ankle that feels unstable can create a sense that the joint is too loose. This is often due to stretched ligaments on the outer side of the ankle that can no longer hold the joint firmly in place. Looseness can develop after repeated sprains or a single major injury, and people sometimes notice the ankle rolling inward more easily during walking. A high-arched foot or a heel that tilts inward can increase strain on the ligaments and contribute to ankle instability. Pain might occur on either side of the ankle because altered mechanics put stress on nearby structures, like the peroneal tendons. A podiatrist can evaluate gait, check ligament stability, and review imaging to determine whether the issue is true mechanical instability or pain that mimics it. Surgery may be considered if the stretched ligaments do not respond to more conservative care. If you feel like your ankle "gives way," when standing or walking, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist for a diagnosis and treatment.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Cleveland, Independence, and Kent, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.