So if you love celebrity gossip, you probably already know that our beloved Jennifer Grey of Dirty Dancing fame had surgery over the weekend. After winning Dancing with The Stars, a
Neuroma (or
inflamed/overgrown nerve) in her foot began acting up. According to her Twitter feed the pain got "worse and worse", until she made the decision to have surgery.
So what is a neuroma? It is a thickening of nerve tissue that develops in highly used parts of the body. The most common is a Morton's Neuroma which is in the 3rd interspace between the 3rd and 4th toes. The thickening of the nerve causes it to become compressed and causes the following:
- Tingling, burning, or numbness
- Pain
- A feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot
- A feeling that there’s something in the shoe or a sock is bunched up
It usually begins with symptoms off and on, worse in shoes and with activity but then can progress to be non-stop.
Treatment
First line treatment is always non-surgical: F
- Padding. To provide support for the transverse arch and separate the metatarsal heads, thus decreasing the pressure on the nerve.
- Icing. To reduce the swelling.
- Orthotic devices. Again to correct biomechanical abnormalities and decrease pressure.
- Shoe modifications. wide toe box and avoid narrow-toed shoes and heels.
- Anti inflammatory Medications.
- Cortisone Injections. These are sometimes used to decrease inflammation and pain.
When Is Surgery Needed?
If a patient has not responded to conservative care, Surgery may be needed and should be discussed with your doctor.
All of us at Prairie Path Foot and Ankle Clinic wish Jennifer Grey a speedy recovery and hope she is back on her feet dancing again soon!
