Non-surgical foot & ankle care · New York City
Neuroma Treatment
Non-surgical care for burning pain in the ball of the foot and numbness in the toes.
Board-certified
Foot surgery, ABPS
24 years
Private practice
4.96 ★ on ZocDoc
2,618 verified reviews
Conservative
Patient-first care
Our specialized treatments
Neuromas
Neuroma happens when a nerve in the ball of your foot becomes irritated and thickened, causing burning pain, tingling, or numbness. It most often affects the nerve running between the third and fourth toes.
Most people say it feels like standing on a folded sock or a small pebble that will not move. Dr. Scott Melamed, D.P.M. offers surgical and non-surgical solutions to take the pressure off the nerve.
The nerve runs between the long bones of the forefoot. When it thickens it no longer has room, and the bones press on it with every step.
When to seek care
Burning or aching in the ball of the foot
Numbness or tingling in the third and fourth toes
A feeling of standing on a pebble or a folded sock
Pain that eases when you take your shoe off and rub the foot
Symptoms that keep returning in certain shoes
Common causes
Narrow or pointed shoes that squeeze the forefoot
High heels, which push the load onto the ball of the foot
Long hours standing on hard city pavement
Running and other repetitive high-impact activity
Foot mechanics that increase pressure across the forefoot
The nerve sits in a narrow gap between the long bones behind the third and fourth toes. Anything that closes that gap, such as a tight shoe, presses straight onto it.
Why Shoes Make Such a Difference
A neuroma develops when the nerve is repeatedly compressed. It sits in a narrow gap between two of the long bones, so anything that narrows that gap adds pressure, which is why symptoms track with footwear rather than activity alone.
Patients often tell us the pain disappears the moment they take their shoe off. That is a useful clue, and worth mentioning at your visit.
How We Treat Neuromas
Advanced surgical and non-surgical solutions to relieve pain and restore foot function
Individually crafted orthotic devices to support and enhance foot mechanics
Pain management for the ball of the foot
Personalized recovery plans for an effective return to activity
Conservative, patient-first care throughout
Pain is felt in the ball of the foot, and it comes from the thickened nerve sitting between the long bones just behind the third and fourth toes.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Getting seen
Same-week appointments are usually available, and most major insurance is accepted.
Understanding your options
Non-surgical first. Dr. Melamed explains what is going on in the ball of your foot and what your options are.
A second opinion, if you need one
Told surgery is your only option? A second opinion is worth the visit.
Appointments and insurance
We accept most major plans, including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare, Oxford Health Plans, and GHI / EmblemHealth. Don’t see yours? Call 212-228-5230 and we’ll check.
Explore every option before surgery. Dr. Melamed has spent 20+ years keeping New Yorkers out of the operating room. A conservative second opinion is worth the visit. Get a Second Opinion or call 212-228-5230.
Common Questions
Neuromas, Answered
Why does it feel like there is something in my shoe?
Because the thickened nerve sits right under the ball of the foot, between the long bones. Every step presses the bones onto it, and the brain reads that as a lump underfoot even though nothing is there.
Do I have to give up heels and narrow shoes?
Those shoes narrow the space the nerve sits in, so they usually make symptoms worse. That does not mean never again, but easing off while things settle is normally part of getting on top of it.
Will it go away on its own?
Symptoms can quiet down for a while, particularly if you change shoes, but the thickening does not usually reverse by itself. Neuromas are easier to manage when dealt with early rather than after months of pushing through.
Is it the same as a stress fracture or plantar plate problem?
No, though they can feel similar and all cause pain in the ball of the foot. Numbness or tingling in the toes points more toward a nerve, but they overlap enough to need telling apart in person.
Could my foot shape be part of the problem?
It can be. How your foot loads across the forefoot affects how much pressure reaches the nerve, and individually crafted orthotic devices can help. See our Flat Feet page.
How do I book an appointment?
Send an appointment request through the form on this page, or call 212-228-5230. Dr. Melamed also takes bookings through ZocDoc.
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A better life starts with healthy feet.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Scott Melamed, D.P.M. in New York City.
What our patients say
Verified reviews from our patients on ZocDoc.
Sean K.
★★★★★
Bunny H.
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Rita W.
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