Morton’s Neuroma may be causing your acute, searing pain in the ball of your foot or your sensation like stepping on a stone while walking. Though prevalent, if ignored, this disorder can seriously compromise your comfort, movement, and general quality of life. We at Florida Foot and Ankle Clinic think about teaching our patients about foot health, so in this blog post, we will discuss Morton’s Neuroma—its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and several treatment choices meant to enable you to resume your activities free from foot pain.
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a painful disorder that usually affects the ball of the foot. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes. It entails the tissue surrounding one of the nerves traveling to the toes, either swelling or thickening. The nerve gets irritated as a result, usually leading to a sensation like something is caught inside the ball of your foot or severe, scorching pain.
Morton’s Neuroma is a benign development of nerve tissue, although it is called a “neuroma,” which usually means a tumor of nerve tissue. It is mostly a nerve inflammation or enlargement brought on by irritation or compression.
Causes of Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma can develop for a number of reasons, the most often occurring from repeated pressure or irritation of the nerves in the ball of the foot. Among the main causes are these:
1. inappropriate shoes
Wearing high-heeled, tight, or thin shoes that compress the nerves between the metatarsal bones will put too much pressure on the ball of the foot. Because women commonly wear pointy-toed shoes or high heels, Morton’s Neuroma is more common among them. Changing the way one walks shoes with insufficient arch support or cushioning might also help to aggravate this disease.
2. Foot Architecture
Morton’s Neuroma can be more likely with some foot problems including flat feet, high arches, bunions, or hammertoes. These structural defects might cause unequal weight distribution over the foot, therefore stressing the nerves.
3. Activities with High Impact
Running, dancing, and sports requiring jumping are among the activities involving repeated strain on the feet that could strain the ball of the foot more especially. Constant impact and pressure can cause nerve irritation that results in the development of a neuroma.
4. Foot Injury Trauma
Injury Foot trauma, including direct damage to the metatarsal area, can produce inflammation and edema and, therefore, may lead to nerve compression and the formation of a neuroma.
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma
Although Morton’s Neuroma might have different symptoms, usually, if not treated, they get worse with time. Here are some typical indicators to be on alert:
- One classic sign is a stinging, burning feeling in the ball of the foot. The discomfort could start at the toes and get more severe as you walk, run, or stand.
- Many persons with Morton’s Neuroma say the afflicted toes feel tingling, numbness, or a “pins and needles” sensation. This forefoot sensation can be painful and results from nerve compression.
- Some people report having a lump or stone inside the ball of their foot. The swollen nerve tissue causes this sensation; there may not be a real physical lump visible.
- Massaging the afflicted area and removing tight shoes provide temporary comfort, as they lessen the compression on the nerve.
Diagnosing Morton’s Neuroma
First, at Florida Foot & Ankle Clinic, is an extensive assessment meant to precisely identify Morton’s Neuroma. Your podiatrist will discuss your symptoms and medical history and provide a physical examination of your foot on your visit. Pressing on the afflicted area during the physical examination could help to find soreness, pain, or a palpable mass.
Sometimes, other conditions—such as stress fractures or arthritis—may be ruled out and the diagnosis confirmed by further imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasonic waves, or MRI. Proper diagnosis is crucial for developing an efficient treatment strategy catered to your particular needs.
Treatment Options for Morton’s Neuroma
The good news is that Morton’s Neuroma is curable, and most people find treatment with non-surgical procedures. Depending on the degree of your symptoms, Florida Foot and Ankle Clinic provides a spectrum of treatments, ranging from conservative techniques to more complex surgeries.
1. Shoe Adjustments
Changing your shoes is one of the first steps toward managing Morton’s Neuroma. To reduce pressure on the ball of the foot, we advise choosing low heels and wide-toe shoes with enough padding. Avoid tight, high-heeled shoes that aggravate nerve compression.
2. Orthocidal Techniques
Custom orthotic inserts distribute pressure around the foot, lessening the strain on the metatarsal area. These devices help the arch and enhance foot mechanics, relieving Morton’s Neuroma symptoms.
3. Toning and Padding
Foot taping methods and metatarsal padding help reduce pressure on the impacted nerve, offering instant alleviation. Our clinic’s experts can demonstrate the proper technique for using these pads to maximize their efficacy.
4. Stretch and Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can also reduce pain and correct foot mechanics. Stretching exercises can also help the surrounding muscles relax, enhancing general foot performance.
5. Prescriptions
Early on in Morton’s neuroma, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can help lower discomfort and inflammation. For more severe symptoms, corticosteroid injections should be considered to offer longer-lasting relief by lowering nerve irritation.
6. Lowest Invasive Techniques
Patients who do not react to conservative treatments have more sophisticated choices like radiofrequency ablation or cryotherapy, which target the impacted nerve to reduce pain.
7. Operating on surgery
Rarely should all other therapies fail; in such circumstances, surgical intervention could be required. Surgery entails cutting the thickened nerve tissue to remove the cause of pain. At Florida Foot & Ankle Clinic, we make sure patients are completely informed about the surgery, hazards, and recovery process and view it as a last option.
Prevention Tips for Morton’s Neuroma
Avoiding Morton’s Neuroma’s uncomfortable symptoms depends on prevention. The advice from our Florida Foot & Ankle Clinic professionals follows:
- Choose shoes with a large toe box, low heels, and enough arch support to lessen the strain on the ball of the foot.
- Rest days and low-impact activities like swimming or cycling should be included in your schedule to help reduce foot discomfort.
- Plan frequent visits to our clinic to examine foot condition and handle any early-on issues.
Trust the best podiatrist in Dunedin at Florida Foot and Ankle Clinic for all your foot health needs.
Conclusion
Though it can be an unpleasant and uncomfortable disorder, Morton’s Neuroma is treatable with the correct strategy. Our skilled staff at Florida Foot and Ankle Clinic is committed to providing complete treatment catered to your particular requirements. From conservative approaches to more complex surgeries, we are here to assist you in finding relief and restoring mobility.
If Morton’s Neuroma is causing you symptoms, don’t delay consulting a specialist. Get in touch right now to arrange a visit and start on the path to pain-free, better feet.
