Were you born with flat feet, high arches, or abnormal toe positioning? Are you dealing with foot conditions like bunions or hammertoes? Such factors put you at an increased risk of developing Morton’s neuroma, mainly considering the instability around your toes’ joints. New York neuroma, also referred to as intermetatarsal neuroma, results from the inflammation, enlargement, or thickening of your nerve between metatarsals (bones in toes). This commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes.
Morton’s neuroma is painful and worsens as you stand or walk. This can impact your mobility and ability to manage activities of daily living. If untreated, Morton’s neuroma could result in permanent nerve damage. The pain can spread to the nearby toes, significantly affecting your quality of life. The good news is that if you have tried traditional approaches with little or no success, you don’t have to go the surgical way, at least not yet. With the ever-advancing medical technology, you can turn to cryotherapy and realize notable relief.
Unlike traditional surgical approaches like neurectomy, Cryotherapy/cryosurgery/cryogenic neuro-ablation entails the application of extremely cold temperatures to destroy impacted nerve cells and the myelin sheath covering them. The approach delivers many advantages over traditional surgery, including:
- Avoid stump neuroma
Traditional surgery entails cutting a nerve. This exposes patients to the risk of injuring nerves. Among the potential complications that can result from the surgery is stump neuroma, which is very painful and can beat the logic of striving to address foot pain. Since cryotherapy does not involve cutting, there won’t be any regrowth, and stump neuroma won’t be a concern, enhancing your chances of realizing better neuroma relief.
- Fast treatment
Cryotherapy sessions take an average of 30 minutes to an hour. Moreover, it does not necessitate a long post-operative rest period. You can walk immediately after the procedure and be pain-free within five days. You can resume your routine within as few as 5-7 days. This saves you more time, ensuring your schedule in the modern, fast-paced world does not take a significant hit as you endeavor to stay healthier.
- Faster recovery
Cryotherapy does not include stitches, does not require casts, or crutches, among other concerns that make conventional surgery overwhelming. This means the recovery process won’t be demanding, facilitating better progress. Moreover, the recovery process takes a shorter period since there won’t be wound care or exposure to more risks and complications.
- Better results
The less-invasive procedure does not completely remove or destroy your nerves. This means the remaining nerve tissue can possibly regenerate. This translates to a lower risk of permanent numbness after the procedure, helping you enjoy better foot function.
Cryotherapy is a relatively safe and effective solution that can help you address the pain caused by neuroma and improve your mobility and quality of life. Nonetheless, it is worth noting some of its potential complications. Hematoma formation is the most common concern, but it naturally breaks within a reasonable period. Visit AIRE Podiatry Studio today for more on Morton’s neuroma and cryotherapy treatment.
