Morton’s Neuroma
Are you having persistent pain and burning at the ball of your feet or feel like you are walking on a pebble? If so, you may have a Morton’s Neuroma. Read how our expert Podiatrists at ChilternWellbeing Foot and Ankle Clinic can help you.
What Is a Morton’s Neuroma?
A Morton’s Neuroma is a painful growth of nerve tissue in the foot, most commonly found between the heads of the third and fourth metatarsals, the long bones in your feet. When your metatarsals in your feet compress together because of either foot deformities, high-impact activities, or the use of tight shoes such as heels, the nerves between the metatarsals become irritated and swollen.
What Are the Symptoms Of Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuromas often feel as if you are walking on a pebble. You may experience radiating, tingling sensations shooting into your toes, typically the third and fourth toes. As a neuroma worsens, it can become extremely painful. Most times, neuromas become one of the more difficult conditions in the foot to resolve.
What causes Morton’s Neuroma’s?
Factors that appear to contribute to Morton’s neuroma include:
- High heels. Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill fitting can place extra pressure on your toes and the ball of your foot.
- Certain sports. Participating in high-impact athletic activities such as jogging or running may subject your feet to repetitive trauma.
- Sports that feature tight shoes, such as snow skiing or rock climbing, can put pressure on your toes.
- Foot deformities. People who have bunions, hammertoes, high arches or flatfeet are at higher risk of developing Morton’s neuroma.
Treatment Options.
Footwear
Many people experience relief by switching to lower heeled shoes with wider toe boxes. In addition, wearing a Rocker Soled Shoe or trainer from brands like HOKA ONE or FitFlop can help.
Orthotic Therapy
Following a Digital Gait Analysis and Biomechanical Assessment, Custom Made Orthotics like our 3D Printed Phits Orthotics are made to improve your foot mechanics. This subsequently addresses the cause of the Morton’s Neuroma and also relieves the pressure on the nerve, which in turn reduces your pain.
Laser Therapy
MLS Class 4 Laser is a painless, non-invasive treatment that:
- Reduces pain and the swelling of the nerve.
- Reduces inflammation
- Speeds up the healing process
- Increases the speed of nerve regeneration
Surgical Options and Other Procedures
If conservative treatments have not helped, your Podiatrist might suggest:
- Injections. Some people are helped by the injection of steroids into the painful area.
- Decompression surgery. In some cases, surgeons can relieve the pressure on the nerve by cutting nearby structures, such as the ligament that binds together some of the bones in the front of the foot.
- Removal of the nerve. Surgical removal of the growth may be necessary if other treatments fail to provide pain relief. Although surgery is usually successful, the procedure can result in permanent numbness in the affected toes.
