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Morton’s neuroma, a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot. This condition typically causes discomfort in the area between the third and fourth toes, and can feel similar to having a small rock or crease in your footwear.
Morton’s neuroma refers to the thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve leading to the toes. This condition can result in a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, and may also cause numbness, stinging, or burning sensations in the affected toes. Neuromas are growths of extra nerve tissue that are typically noncancerous and can occur on nerves anywhere in the body.
The condition known as Morton’s neuroma has been linked to the wearing of shoes with high heels or that are too tight. Some people may find relief from their symptoms by switching to shoes with lower heels and wider toe boxes. However, in more severe cases, medical options such as corticosteroid injections or surgery may be required. It is crucial to seek treatment for Morton’s neuroma since the condition can worsen and potentially cause permanent nerve damage if left untreated.
Symptoms
Usually, this illness does not have any obvious symptoms, like a lump. Instead, you might undergo the following symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling in your toes.
- A sensation of walking on a stone in your shoe
- An aching, burning sensation in the ball of your foot that could spread to your toes
You might observe that massaging your foot and taking off your shoe can alleviate the discomfort, besides the symptoms mentioned previously. It is advisable to seek medical attention if the burning sensation in the front part of your foot persists for more than a few days, despite altering your shoes and activities that may trigger stress on your foot.
Causes
Morton’s neuroma is a condition that occurs when a nerve located between the toes becomes irritated or damaged. This condition typically manifests as pain in the ball of the foot. Some common factors that may lead to this nerve reaction include having a congenital foot issue, subjecting the ball of the foot to pressure while participating in certain sports, and wearing shoes that prioritize fashion over support.
Risk factors
The following factors appear to be involved with Morton’s neuroma:
- High heels. Your toes and the ball of your foot may experience additional pressure if you’re wearing high heels or shoes that are too small, tight, or poorly fitted.
- Certain sports. Your feet may sustain recurrent injuries if you engage in high-impact athletic activities like running or jogging. Your toes may be compressed by activities like rock climbing or snow skiing that need tight-fitting footwear.
- Foot deformities. Morton’s neuroma risk is increased in people with flat feet, hammertoes, high arches, or bunions.
Morton’s neuroma is a condition that affects approximately one-third of the population. It is more prevalent in women than men, possibly due to their preference for certain types of footwear. In fact, women are 8 to 10 times more prone than men to develop Morton’s neuroma.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will apply pressure on your foot during the examination to feel for any lumps or sore spots. Moreover, you can have a “clicking” sensation between the bones of your foot.
Imaging tests
Certain imaging studies are more useful than others when it comes to diagnosing the presence of Morton’s neuroma:
- X-rays. To rule out other potential reasons of your discomfort, such as a stress fracture, your doctor will probably order X-rays of your foot.
- Ultrasound. Using sound waves, this technology can produce real-time views of inside structures. Soft tissue anomalies like neuromas are very well-detected by ultrasound.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This method utilizes sound waves to generate immediate visuals of inner formations. Ultrasound is effective in detecting anomalies within soft tissue, such as neuromas.
- Electromyography. Your nerves and muscles’ electrical activity are measured during this exam. It can eliminate nerve disorders that might produce symptoms similar to Morton’s neuroma.
Treatment
The course of treatment for your condition will be determined based on the severity of your symptoms. Your physician may suggest starting with more conservative approaches.
Therapy
Wear shoes that provide you enough room in the toe and across the ball of your foot. Metatarsal pads, arch supports, and other foot cushions that fit inside your shoes can assist relieve pressure on the nerve. They can be bought over the counter, or your doctor may recommend a specially built, personally created shoe insert that is shaped to precisely suit the curves of your foot.
Surgery and other procedures
If non-invasive treatments have proven ineffective, your doctor may recommend:
- Injections. The injection of steroids into the sore area helps some people.
- Decompression surgery. In some cases, surgeons may release pressure on the nerve by cutting adjacent tissues, such as the ligament that connects part of the bones in the front of the foot.
- Nerve removal. If various therapies do not relieve the pain, the growth may need to be surgically removed. Surgery can leave the affected toes permanently numb, even though it is typically effective.
