Morton’s neuroma is a condition that causes pain between your foot’s metatarsal bones and the toes. The condition, known as intermetatarsal neuroma, commonly affects the space between the third and fourth toes. A painful or burning sensation is the main symptom. You may feel like you’re stepping on a pebble or have a fold in the sock. Morton’s neuroma can be treated at a foot and ankle institute using medication, injection, or surgery.
Morton’s Neuroma Causes & Risk Factors
Intermetatarsal neuromas occur when the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes thickens. The thickening can be a response to irritation, pressure, or injury to the affected nerve. You’ll experience a sharp, burning pain around the ball of your foot. The sensation may vary between stinging, burning, and numbness. Factors linked to Morton’s neuroma include:
1. Wearing High Heels
High heels and footwear with tight toe boxes can exert pressure on one of the nerves leading to your toes, causing inflammation and thickening. You can experience relief when you switch to shoes with a broader toe box and lower heels.
2. Athletic Activities
Some sports and high-impact athletic activities like jogging and running can result in injury or repetitive trauma. Sports featuring tight shoes, such as rock climbing and skiing, can put pressure on the ball of your foot.
3. Foot Deformities
Morton’s neuroma can develop in people with hammertoes, bunions, flat feet, high arches, and toes in unusual positions. Not all people with such deformities will develop the condition, but the risk is higher, especially if you wear heels.
Morton’s Neuroma Symptoms & Diagnosis
People with Morton’s neuroma won’t notice any visible signs, so don’t expect to see a lump. You’ll experience pain that develops slowly and improves when you take your shoes off or massage the affected foot. The symptoms will worsen with time and may include sharp, stinging, or burning pain around the ball of your foot.
You may experience more pain when you walk or stand. Other symptoms include tingling (pins and needles) and numbness. The sensation is similar to standing on a pebble in your shoe or a folded sock.
During the examination, the podiatrist will check for tender spots and mass between your toes. They may apply pressure on the foot to locate the painful area. Diagnosis may involve the following imaging tests:
- X-rays: An x-ray won’t show if you have Morton’s neuroma but can rule out other causes like arthritis and stress fracture.
- Ultrasound & MRI: Ultrasounds use sound waves to reveal soft tissue abnormalities. MRIs also visualize soft tissues but use strong magnetic fields.
- Electromyography: The technique involves measuring nerve and muscle electrical activity to rule out nerve conditions with similar symptoms as Morton’s neuroma.
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
Healthcare providers determine the best treatment based on the severity of your condition. The podiatrist will recommend conservative treatment, which includes therapy, lifestyle changes, and home remedies. Therapy involves wearing shoes with adequate room around the toes and ball of the foot. You can use metatarsal pads placed inside your shoes to reduce pressure on the affected nerve. The podiatrist may recommend custom-made foot pads.
Lifestyle and home remedies include avoiding high heels and tight shoes and doing regular ice massages to reduce the pain. The foot and ankle institute may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Other treatments include resting from high-impact activities, aerobic exercises, and dancing moves that put pressure on your foot.
Your podiatrist may recommend the following treatments:
Injections
Some people get relief from steroid or alcohol sclerosing injections in the affected area to reduce nerve pain. You may receive anti-inflammatory drugs injected into the skin and local anesthetic injections to numb the nerve.
Decompression Surgery
Some cases of Morton’s neuroma improve through decompression surgery, where the surgeon cuts nearby structures. The podiatric surgeon may cut the ligament binding some bones in the front of the foot.
Nerve Removal
Surgical removal of the inflamed nerve is usually successful in treating severe Morton’s neuroma. The procedure is only recommended if other treatments fail to offer relief because it results in a permanent numbness of the affected toes.
When to Visit a Foot and Ankle Institute
Don’t ignore recurring foot pain. Visiting a reputable foot and ankle institute is the best decision. Morton’s neuroma is a treatable condition, and getting help early can offer remedy through conservative methods. Choose leading healthcare providers that specialize in foot and ankle conditions.
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