Treatment for Morton’s neuroma and foot nerve pain.

Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma: one irritated nerve.

A Morton’s neuroma is a thickened, irritated nerve between the toes, most often the third and fourth. Narrow shoes and high heels squeeze it. Treatment starts with wider shoes, pads and orthotics, and often an injection. MLS laser therapy can help some patients. If pain continues, surgery can remove or release the nerve.

Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy: nerves throughout the feet.

Neuropathy usually affects both feet and causes burning, tingling or numbness. Diabetes is the most common cause, but there are others, including some vitamin deficiencies and medicines. Dr. Rottenberg looks for the cause with your other doctors, protects your feet from injuries you may not feel, and works on easing the pain.

Qutenza

Qutenza: an in-office patch for diabetic nerve pain.

Qutenza is a prescription skin patch containing 8% capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot, at a much higher strength than store-bought creams. It is FDA-approved for nerve pain from diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the feet. It is not a pill, so it does not add another daily medicine.

The patch is applied in the office and left on the feet for about 30 minutes, then removed. Redness, burning or itching where the patch was are common and usually short-lived, and blood pressure can rise briefly during treatment. If it helps, it can be repeated, no more often than every three months.

• Applied and removed in the office
• No daily pill
• Can be repeated every three months if it helps