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What are the Most Common Neuroma Symptoms?

Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands

The most common neuroma symptoms include localized pain, tingling, burning and a numbing sensation in a specific area. While some people may feel these symptoms due to unrelated reasons, most neuroma symptoms differ in that they do not permanently go away by simply resting or massaging the areas where pain is felt. Symptoms can be quite disturbing and severely affect a person’s quality of life. There are some areas where neuromas are more commonly diagnosed, such as the foot, but neuroma symptoms can occur in any part of the body.

A neuroma is a growth on the nerve cells or a thickening of nerve cells. Neuromas tend to occur after surgery or trauma to the affected area. While symptoms are treatable and are often only temporary, they can last for longer periods of time while making a person’s daily life very uncomfortable.

Pain, burning and numbness might be symptoms of neuroma.
Pain, burning and numbness might be symptoms of neuroma.

Although a neuroma can grow anywhere in the body, Morton’s neuroma is one of the more commonly diagnosed types. Also known as intermetatarsal neuroma, it affects the foot and can usually be found between the third and the fourth toe. The most common symptoms include pain between toes, the sensation of something being stuck in the ball of the foot or the feeling that something is stuck inside of a person’s shoe while walking. Morton’s neuroma symptoms are further aggravated by walking or simply by wearing shoes.

Inner ear pain may be a sign of acoustic neuroma.
Inner ear pain may be a sign of acoustic neuroma.

One of several ways in which a doctor will confirm the presence of a Morton’s neuroma is by using an examination technique known as Mulder’s sign. This technique calls for a doctor feeling for the neuroma while squeezing the entire foot. Examining the foot in this fashion better enables the doctor to manually feel for the presence of an enlarged nerve.

Neuromas are common in the foot, causing pain, tingling, burning and numbing sensations.
Neuromas are common in the foot, causing pain, tingling, burning and numbing sensations.

Acoustic neuroma is another type of painful nerve cell growth. This type occurs on the nerves found between the brain and the ear. Acoustic neuroma symptoms begin gradually with many people not feeling anything abnormal in the very beginning. As the growth enlarges, however, symptoms may include inner-ear pain, a ringing sound in the ears, a loss of hearing and poor balance. Left untreated, these symptoms may graduate to facial paralysis and can even become life threatening.

An acoustic neuroma may cause ringing in the ears.
An acoustic neuroma may cause ringing in the ears.

In some cases, symptoms may start out slowly and worsen with time. In others, neuroma symptoms may go unnoticed for a period of time as the neuroma grows. Left unmonitored, however, the pain and discomfort of neuroma symptoms may eventually become unbearable.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

Acoustic neuroma is very traumatic. My dad has been suffering from it.

He first went to the doctor for migraines and hearing problems. We didn't know at that time that these are symptoms of acoustic neuroma. After a series of tests, he had an MRI done which found the neuroma. He was was scheduled for surgery right away.

The neuroma was successfully removed but the side effects of the surgery continue. He still has hearing problems and now he is having nerve problems on one side of his face as well.

We're worried that the symptoms will become permanent or that he will completely lose hearing in one ear. It's very frightening.

Does anyone else here have acoustic neuroma?

ZipLine

@donasmrs-- I think neuromas can form anywhere in the body. I know someone who developed a neuroma in the breast after breast surgery.

donasmrs

Can neuromas form in the breasts? What are the symptoms that distinguish neuromas from other types of growths?

I have had a burning pain in my breast for the past week. I'm worried that it might be a neuroma or a tumor.

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    • Pain, burning and numbness might be symptoms of neuroma.
      By: evasilchenko
      Pain, burning and numbness might be symptoms of neuroma.
    • Inner ear pain may be a sign of acoustic neuroma.
      By: Von Schonertagen
      Inner ear pain may be a sign of acoustic neuroma.
    • Neuromas are common in the foot, causing pain, tingling, burning and numbing sensations.
      By: nebari
      Neuromas are common in the foot, causing pain, tingling, burning and numbing sensations.
    • An acoustic neuroma may cause ringing in the ears.
      By: athomass
      An acoustic neuroma may cause ringing in the ears.
    • Pain in the toes is the most common symptoms of neuromas, which are usually found between the third and fourth toes.
      By: schankz
      Pain in the toes is the most common symptoms of neuromas, which are usually found between the third and fourth toes.
    • An acoustic neuroma may eventually lead to a ringing in the ears or hearing loss.
      By: slasnyi
      An acoustic neuroma may eventually lead to a ringing in the ears or hearing loss.
    • Untreated cases of acoustic neuroma may lead to facial paralysis.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Untreated cases of acoustic neuroma may lead to facial paralysis.
    • Neuromas are known to occur following surgery.
      By: muratolmez
      Neuromas are known to occur following surgery.