About neuroma
When a nerve is cut or damaged, its fibers try to regrow. If they cannot reconnect, they can form a disorganized knot of nerve tissue called a neuroma. This knot can become very sensitive, so light pressure, a tight shoe, or a prosthetic socket may set off sharp pain.
Neuromas are common after amputation, where they form at the end of the cut nerves in the residual limb. They can also develop after surgical incisions, lacerations, or crush injuries anywhere in the body. The pain is often focused on one spot and can shoot along the path of the nerve.
Common symptoms
- Sharp, burning, or electric pain at a specific spot
- Pain triggered by tapping, pressure, or a prosthetic socket
- Tingling that shoots along the path of a nerve
- A tender lump beneath a scar or at the end of a residual limb
Common causes and risk factors
- Amputation, where cut nerves form neuromas at their ends
- Surgical incisions that injure small skin nerves
- Cuts, crush injuries, or other trauma to a nerve
How we diagnose it
Dr. Chen examines the area to find the point where pressure reproduces your pain, then uses ultrasound to see the neuroma, measure its size, and trace which nerve it comes from. A small diagnostic nerve block, guided by ultrasound, can confirm that the neuroma is the pain source before a longer-lasting treatment is planned.
How Propel treats neuroma
First steps include adjusting shoes, braces, or prosthetic sockets to take pressure off the neuroma, desensitization exercises, and medications for nerve pain when appropriate. For people with limb loss, we work with your prosthetist and therapist so treatment supports walking, training, and daily activity rather than limiting it.
When pain persists, Dr. Chen may recommend a procedure guided by ultrasound. Nerve ablation uses heat to quiet the painful nerve, cryoneurolysis uses targeted cold to calm it for a period of time, and peripheral nerve stimulation uses mild electrical pulses from a thin lead to reduce pain signals. When a neuroma is large or does not respond, we can help coordinate a referral to a surgeon who specializes in nerve procedures.
What to expect at your visit
- 1.
We listen first
Your visit opens with a real conversation: how the problem started, what you have already tried, and the activity you want back.
- 2.
Exam and in-office ultrasound
A hands-on exam, then ultrasound at the exam table, often while you move, so your physician can see the tendon, joint, or nerve involved.
- 3.
A clear diagnosis and plan
You leave knowing what is wrong and what your options are, from strength-based rehab to procedures, and why we recommend each one.
- 4.
Treatment and follow-through
Most procedures happen here in the office. We coordinate with your physical therapist and check progress against the goals you set.
Questions about neuroma
- Is this the same as a Morton's neuroma in the foot?
- Not quite. A Morton's neuroma is thickening around a nerve between the toes, usually from pressure, rather than a knot that forms after a nerve is cut. The evaluation is similar, and our physicians can tell the two apart with an exam and ultrasound.
- Can a neuroma be treated without removing it?
- Often, yes. Procedures such as nerve ablation, cryoneurolysis, and peripheral nerve stimulation aim to calm the painful nerve without cutting it out. Surgery remains an option when these approaches do not provide enough relief.
- Will treating a neuroma help me wear my prosthesis?
- For many people, reducing neuroma pain makes socket fitting and walking more comfortable. We coordinate with your prosthetist so that socket changes and pain treatment work together.