A Joplin’s Neuroma or neuritis is an entrapment or pinching of what's called the inside plantar digital nerve. This particular nerve supplies sensation to the medial aspect and regions of the top and underside on the great toe or hallux. This particular trapped nerve was initially identified b y Joplin in 1971 with 3 patients which came about soon after bunion surgical procedures. The reason for a Joplin’s Neuroma is normally as a result of long-term pressure about the great toe with repetitive irritation on the nerve. This is mostly likely to occur when using tight footwear, particularly if there is an underlying deformity for example a bunion in the great toe. This may also occur in some cases after a single incident of trauma rather than the repetitive trauma from shoes. Additional instances result from an restriction of the nerve in scar tissue right after bunion surgical procedures.

The common symptoms of a Joplins neuroma may differ from dull ache pain and some numbness to an acute shooting or radiating pain occurring around along the medial side of the big toe. The features may almost always be made more serious by the ongoing wearing of tight footwear. There may also be some pins and needles plus prickling around the big toe. When you very carefully palpate the location of the nerve, it is at times easy to feel a lump on the location and the pushing on this mass can cause the signs and symptoms which the person is dealing with. There are various different conditions which might mimic these signs and symptoms since the signs and symptoms of a Joplin’s neuroma might be to some degree vague. You should get the diagnosis right before proceeding with therapy. The differential diagnosis includes just about any other problems that impacts the big toe joint. This may include osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout pain. The signs and symptoms of those tend to occur more inside the big toe joint instead of radiating pains about the hallux joint. There could be inflammation from a bunion with a bit of bursitis that doesn't involve the nerve becoming entraped. A sesamoiditis could also be considered, however this causes pain beneath the great toe or hallux joint and will not radiate forwards. There also might be a traumatic injury to the big toe joint or the tissues around the joint.

The first aspect with the treatment of a Joplins neuroma is to find some reduction from the pain when it is bad enough. This may involve using ice and NSAID’s to alleviate the signs and symptoms. The most significant aspect of the treatment is the use of wider fitting footwear or to alter the footwear to allow significantly less strain on the great toe or hallux joint. This could be troublesome if tight footwear needs to be utilized in sporting activities such as soccer. Adhesive felt protective pads to get stress off the area affected could be very useful. This adhesive felt pads might be in the shape of a ‘U’ or a donut. This is necessary in order that there isn't any strain on the big toe the signs and symptoms are originating from. An injection of corticosteroid may also be required to settle the problem. If none of this works, then a surgery on the impacted nerve is usually necessary.