Morton’s neuroma

Overview

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.