In my mind at least making the diagnosis of Baxter's nerve is not that difficult. The reason a heel neuroma will worsen as you walk is because the pounding of the heel during ambulation will aggravate the nerve and make it worse. This is in contrast to plantarfasciitis which is most painful on initial ambulation and then eases up as you walk. In most cases of a heel neuroma (Baxter's nerve) the heel will become more painful, the more you walk. This can be identified by using a dull pin and pressing against the bottom of each heel, the affected heel will be duller than the other heel.

This same pain is usually not evident on pressing in the same spot on the other foot.Īdditionally, there may be some degree of numbness on the bottom of the affected heel compared to the other heel. In most cases there will be pain when the doctor presses on the inside of the heel, even though your actual pain may be on the bottom of the heel when you walk. It is a diagnosis that is generally not too difficult to make just by examination. (the red arrow is pointing to Baxter's nerve on the bottom of the heel). Having said that I do have a few concerns based on your narrative and I would like to address them.Īccording to you, it seems like all you had so far was an x-ray and some physical therapy hardly what I would call any real treatment for a possible Baxter's nerve.īaxter's nerve is an irritation of one of the branches coming off the medial plantar nerve. Let me start off by saying that certainly you should discuss your treatment options with your any doctor involved in this particular problem as they are the most familiar with your situation.

Is this something I should discuss with both my doctors? Having MRI next week and insurance won't cover EMG but will have it if it is needed eventually when I can afford it. I am scared of surgery and husband said we will get different docs diagnosis until someone says no surgery.

Emg test for foot pain