Morton’s neuromas or interdigital neuromas are usually from a compression of the nerves in the front of the foot.  Oftentimes characterized as burning or pain that’s exacerbated by walking or tight shoes.  A number of different etiologies have been described to decrease blood supply progression to irritation from bursa or the intermetatarsal ligament.  The majority of these neuromas occurr in the third interspace, about 70% of the time and in the second interspace about 30% of the time.  It is most common to have a single neuroma however some patients have multiple neuromas.  There are multiple studies on the best conservative measures.

Conservative measures range from orthotics, footwear adjustments, corticosteroid injections, alcohol injections, radiofrequency or even cryoablation.  Conservative management continues to be the mainstay of neuroma therapy.  Oftentimes it can take months before your neuroma feels better depending on the size and location.  There are a few people that have multiple Morton’s neuroma and an MRI can be highly valuable.

Surgical management usually consists of removal of the nerve.  This is generally done to the top of the foot and has a fairly short recovery as compared to other foot and ankle surgeries.  Sound physicians go to the bottom of their feet just depending on experience and discomfort levels.  The overall success rate with surgical management is high, if conservative measures have failed, it is the appropriate next step.

If you’re suffering from neuroma pain make an appointment today and I can help. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

Neuropathy is the weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet due to damage to the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves are responsible for sending information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. Causes of Neuropathy include: traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, exposure to toxins, and diabetes.

Diabetes is the most common cause, with more than half of the diabetic population developing some type of neuropathy. There are several types of neuropathy and they vary based on the damage of the nerves. Mononeuropathy is classified as only one nerve being damaged. When multiple nerves are affected, it is referred as polyneuropathy. One of the types of polyneuropathy is distal symmetric polyneuropathy. It is the most common for people with diabetes and starts when the nerves furthest away from the central nervous begin to malfunction. The symptoms begin with pain and numbness in the feet and then they travel up to the legs. A rarer form of polyneuropathy is acute symmetrical peripheral neuropathy, which is a severe type that affects nerves throughout the body and is highly associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system and can be fatal. Although there are many types of neuropathy, most of them share the same symptoms such as pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, lack of coordination, muscle weakness, dizziness, and digestive problems. Since neuropathy affects the nerves, those affected should be careful of burns, infection and falling, as depleted sensations disguise such ailments.

The best way to prevent neuropathy is to manage any medical conditions such as diabetes, alcoholism, or rheumatoid arthritis. Creating and managing a healthy lifestyle can also go a long way. Having a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein can keep the nerves healthy. These types of food have the nutrients to prevent neuropathy. Regularly exercising can help as well, but it is best to consult with a doctor about the right amount. In addition to diet and exercise, avoiding risk factors will also prevent neuropathy. This includes repetitive motions, cramped positions, exposure to toxic chemicals, smoking and overindulging on alcohol.

Capsulitis and metatarsalgia are generic terms for pain in the front of the foot or what we call forefoot pain.  This pain is often described as burning tingling or numbness or stabbing pain that increases with activity or ambulation.  There doesn’t have to be a history of any trauma or previous injury however there usually are other foot problems that are present.  These other problems can include a bunion or a tight calf muscle or deviated toes.  These can contribute to forefoot overloading which ultimately lead to capsulitis or metatarsalgia.

Capsulitis typically refers to inflammation of the joint for multiple joints in the front of the foot.  Often times this joint is the second toe and can begin to swell increasing irritation around the joint.  As the swelling gets worse it can begin to push on the nerves in the front of the foot and present with increased numbness and tingling that can often mimick neuroma.  Neuromas are not typically in this location are more common in the third, however it is important to differentiate between the 2 as the treatment is different.

Metatarsalgia is more of a generic term for pain in the metatarsal bones.  There are 5 metatarsal bones in the foot and typically the first metatarsal can cause pain and irritation.  It is not uncommon to have arthritis in these joints that can also cause a great deal of pain.

I recommend anybody with forefoot pain make an appointment to decrease the likelihood of continued or progressive pain. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician

Arthritis of the big toe or sometimes called hallux limitus or hallux rigidus involves degenerative arthritis of the big toe.  It often presents as pain and swelling in the big toe and even limited range of motion.  Patients often have a history of any injury like a turf toe type incision where the majority of the time this is genetic in origin.  This typically starts from an anatomical misalignment or elevated first metatarsal where long-term jamming of the joint and pain and swelling begins.

The treatment options from a surgical aspect involves joint preserving procedures.  Joint sparing procedures involve trying to increase the life of the joint.

Joint sparing procedures typically have consisted of cleaning up the joint which is very commonly called a cheilectomy. This can be done for early type arthritis.  This has all been considered were course of early intervention and has had great outcomes.

Joint destructive procedures typically involve the use of implants or fusion.  Implants of the big toe joint have fallen out of favor and are not utilized by many physicians. The stays and fusion continues to be the mainstay.  However there are other options that become available, depending on the patient's needs.  There are some physicians that advocate what is called an interpositional arthroplasty which seems to work well and provides some space in the joint to provide cushioning.

If you have big toe pain I am happy to help make an appointment at our office and we can see whether conservative or surgical options are warranted. Give us a call today at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Brandon Nelson 
Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon

It is never normal for a child to experience pain in his or her feet. Foot pain that lasts more than a few days and limits a child’s ability to walk should be examined by a podiatrist. Many adult foot ailments originate in childhood and may be present at birth. Common foot issues that are experienced by children are pediatric flat foot, Sever’s disease, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.

A child’s foot grows rapidly during the first year, allowing it to reach almost half of their adult foot size. Consequently, foot specialists consider the first year to be the most crucial point in the foot development process. There are ways you can help ensure that your child’s foot develops properly. One way is to carefully look at your baby’s feet. If you notice any deformities, you should immediately seek professional care. You should also loosely cover your child’s foot, since tight coverings may prevent movement and inhibit normal development. Another tip is to change the baby’s positioning throughout the day. If your baby lies down in one spot for too long, it may put an excess amount of strain on the feet and legs.

It is best that you try not to force a child to start walking. Children will begin to walk when they are both physically and emotionally capable to do so. You should also avoid comparing your child’s walking progress with other children because the age range for independent walking may range. When your child’s feet begin to develop, you may need to change both their shoe and sock size every few months to allow room for their feet to grow.

Kids are sometimes prone to splinters, cuts, and severe injuries because they tend to walk around barefoot. This also makes them more susceptible to developing plantar warts which is a condition caused by a virus that invades the sole of the foot through breaks in the skin. These ailments can be avoided by making sure your child wears shoes in unsanitary environments. You should also wash any minor cuts or scrapes on your child’s feet. It is a myth that exposure to fresh air will heal injuries; fresh air will only expose your child’s cuts to germs.

As a parent, you should ensure that your child’s feet are developing properly and are being properly maintained. Consequently, it is important that you perform routine inspections on his or her feet to detect any injuries or deformities in their early stages. Early detection and treatment will help to ensure that your child does not develop any serious foot conditions.

Bunion surgery has progressed significantly since its inception. Years ago, it was not uncommon for patients to stay overnight in the hospital if they had bunion surgery.  Often times patients would spend days in the hospital and be in a cast and nonweightbearing for months.  However this is a very rare occurrence these days and the majority of procedures are performed in an outpatient setting and very rarely is there an extended period of nonweightbearing.  This evolution of bunion surgery has allowed for minimally invasive surgeries to become more commonplace.

Minimally invasive refers to making significantly smaller incisions than we’ll we typically do for bunion surgery.  The average bunion can now be performed with minimally invasive surgery through an approximate 2 cm incision.  The advantages of minimally invasive surgery is it allows for a quicker recovery and increased healing capacity.  The majority of people will heal more quickly than the traditional open bunion procedure and will have less pain.

It is important to note that not every patient is a candidate for minimally invasive bunion surgery as it depends on other factors including overall foot structure and size of the bunion.  It is important to have a thorough evaluation and workup for considering bunion surgery, any type of bunion surgery including minimally invasive.  If you’re having bunion pain please contact my office and we will be able to get to an appointment and have your bunion evaluated. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Brandon Nelson

Board-certified Foot and Ankle Physician and Surgeon