Morton’S Neuroma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
If at times, you feel as if you are walking on a marble or pebble or you feel continuous pain in the ball of foot, you may have Morton's Neuroma. It is a condition affecting on e of the nerves between the toes. This condition is more common among women than men as they tend to wear uncomfortable footwear like high-heeled or narrow shoes.
What do we mean by Morton's Neuroma?
Morton's Neuroma also referred to as Morton's Metatarsalgia or Interdigital Neuroma, is a non-cancerous growth of nerve tissue that commonly develops at the ball of foot between the third and fourth toe. In other words, Morton's Neuroma is a pinched or inflamed nerve between the bones at the ball of foot.
What are the factors leading to Morton's Neuroma?
The exact cause of Morton's Neuroma is not known. Various factors including the following are considered as the major reasons to develop this painful condition:
Morton's neuroma - Treatment
Morton's neuroma - Treatment
Regular or chronic stress and irritation of plantar digital nerve
Narrower space between the long bones (metatarsals) of the foot
Wearing narrow or high heeled shoes
Growth of a fatty lump (lipoma) around the joint
Formation of fluid filled sac around the joint
Wearing constrictive (tight) foot wear
Inflammation in the joints
Foot problems including; flat feet, high foot arches, bunions and hammer toes
Abnormally positioned toes
Sports including running and jumping
What are the signs and symptoms of Morton's Neuroma?
The signs and symptoms of Morton's Neuroma usually occur unexpectedly and more likely to worsen over time. Its symptoms mainly include:
Pain starts from the ball of the foot and extends up to the affected toes
Burning or sharp pain while walking, performing weight bearing activities, when the ball of the foot is squeezed or foot itself is pressurized
Numbness at the bottom of the foot
Parasthesia or pins-and-needles feeling
Toe-pain
Affected toes may spread apart which doctors refer to as €V' sign
Swelling between the toes
Feeling as if there's something in the shoe or a sock has bunched up
What are the treatment options available to relieve the condition?
The orthopedic surgeons will develop a treatment plan evaluating the stage and severity of your condition or problem. Following non-invasive treatment techniques are adopted to treat Morton's Neuroma:
Padding options are recommended to lessen the pressure on nerve and to decrease the compression as well
Placing the ice-pack on the affected area may be suggested to reduce swelling
Surgeons may also provide custom orthotic devices to support your metatarsal arch
Activities placing pressure on the nerves are suggested to avoid till the condition improvises
Shoe-modifications are advised i.e. wear shoes with wide toe-box and avoid narrow-toed or high-heeled shoes
Calf-stretching exercises may be advised to lessen the pressure on your foot
Injection therapy may be employed including; cortisone and local anaesthetics
If non-surgical treatment options do not improve your condition then your orthopedic surgeon may discuss surgical options with you, where either a small portion of the nerve is resected or tissues around the nerve is released.
Contact Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Contact Center of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for the state-of-art treatment of any of your musculoskeletal problems and injuries. Our board certified and experienced surgeons make use of latest techniques and technologies to provide you quality care and to make you as staunch and sturdy as before.
What do we mean by Morton's Neuroma?
Morton's Neuroma also referred to as Morton's Metatarsalgia or Interdigital Neuroma, is a non-cancerous growth of nerve tissue that commonly develops at the ball of foot between the third and fourth toe. In other words, Morton's Neuroma is a pinched or inflamed nerve between the bones at the ball of foot.
What are the factors leading to Morton's Neuroma?
The exact cause of Morton's Neuroma is not known. Various factors including the following are considered as the major reasons to develop this painful condition:
Morton's neuroma - Treatment
Morton's neuroma - Treatment
Regular or chronic stress and irritation of plantar digital nerve
Narrower space between the long bones (metatarsals) of the foot
Wearing narrow or high heeled shoes
Growth of a fatty lump (lipoma) around the joint
Formation of fluid filled sac around the joint
Wearing constrictive (tight) foot wear
Inflammation in the joints
Foot problems including; flat feet, high foot arches, bunions and hammer toes
Abnormally positioned toes
Sports including running and jumping
What are the signs and symptoms of Morton's Neuroma?
The signs and symptoms of Morton's Neuroma usually occur unexpectedly and more likely to worsen over time. Its symptoms mainly include:
Pain starts from the ball of the foot and extends up to the affected toes
Burning or sharp pain while walking, performing weight bearing activities, when the ball of the foot is squeezed or foot itself is pressurized
Numbness at the bottom of the foot
Parasthesia or pins-and-needles feeling
Toe-pain
Affected toes may spread apart which doctors refer to as €V' sign
Swelling between the toes
Feeling as if there's something in the shoe or a sock has bunched up
What are the treatment options available to relieve the condition?
The orthopedic surgeons will develop a treatment plan evaluating the stage and severity of your condition or problem. Following non-invasive treatment techniques are adopted to treat Morton's Neuroma:
Padding options are recommended to lessen the pressure on nerve and to decrease the compression as well
Placing the ice-pack on the affected area may be suggested to reduce swelling
Surgeons may also provide custom orthotic devices to support your metatarsal arch
Activities placing pressure on the nerves are suggested to avoid till the condition improvises
Shoe-modifications are advised i.e. wear shoes with wide toe-box and avoid narrow-toed or high-heeled shoes
Calf-stretching exercises may be advised to lessen the pressure on your foot
Injection therapy may be employed including; cortisone and local anaesthetics
If non-surgical treatment options do not improve your condition then your orthopedic surgeon may discuss surgical options with you, where either a small portion of the nerve is resected or tissues around the nerve is released.
Contact Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Contact Center of Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for the state-of-art treatment of any of your musculoskeletal problems and injuries. Our board certified and experienced surgeons make use of latest techniques and technologies to provide you quality care and to make you as staunch and sturdy as before.
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