Neuropathic foot pain is caused by damage of the nerve of the foot, usually by some type of trauma. When the nerve swells in one spot, it is known as a neuroma and can cause permanent damage to the nerve if not resolved. This extremely painful condition can be found anywhere in the foot, but typically occurs in the ball of the foot and in the heel. Neuropathic Pain Treatments in Joliet IL are designed to treat the pain with as non-invasive methods as possible.
The first method that may be attempted is cortisone injections. The cortisol is injected directly into the nerve and acts as an anesthetic blocking the pain signal that is sent to the brain. These are temporary solutions that only block the pain for a short period of time and are usually used just to provide relief until more permanent solutions can be provided.
Another of the Neuropathic Pain Treatments in Joliet IL includes orthotics made specifically for this type of issue. They are made from a model of the foot and are very thin, so they will fit comfortably in any type of shoe. Click here for more details.
A doctor may also decide the only way to eliminate the pain is to destroy the nerve. Neurolysis is the process of destroying a nerve with chemicals. A mix of ethanol and anesthesia are injected directly into the neuroma. It requires repeated treatments and is not 100 percent effective.
The final stage of Neuropathic Pain Treatments in Joliet IL is surgery. It is a fast and simple procedure that can be done under local anesthesia. It takes a few weeks to heal completely, especially if the neuroma was located on the bottom of the foot, and crutches will need to be used during recovery.
Neuromas are not a life-threatening concern, but the level of pain they cause usually make them impossible to ignore. Some patients will prefer to go directly to surgery to eliminate the problem immediately while others will want to do everything they can to try and avoid surgery. The experts at Suburban Foot & Ankle Associates in Joliet IL can help everyone to understand their options clearly and make an educated decision on what is best for them.
