Morton’s Neuroma can be quite painful. It is often described as feeling like stepping on a rock or a marble, right in the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toes. This can lead to a stinging, tingling, or burning, sharp pain. Morton’s Neuroma develops from compression of the nerve over an extended period of time. Activities that often lead to Morton’s Neuroma include running and racquet sports, which produce a lot of tension in the ball of the foot. They can also develop from wearing shoes that cram all the toes into a tight toe box, or put pressure on the ball of the foot, such as high heels. In fact, women are almost ten times as likely to develop Morton’s Neuroma as men.
Diagnosis of Morton’s Neuroma is a fairly simple, clinical evaluation of the effected foot. The podiatric physician will generally inspect the foot for areas of callus, indicating a repeated and prolonged exposure to irritation. The ball of the foot may be squeezed in the area of the neuroma, which will reproduce the pain. This is generally enough information to confirm the Morton’s Neuroma diagnosis, but an x-ray may be taken to rule out any other possible conditions.
Morton’s Neuroma may be treated in a variety of ways, with the least invasive method usually being the preferred method. A change in shoes, orthotics, or taping and padding the foot to relieve some of the pressure may be sufficient to allow the nerve to become less inflamed. A change in activity is usually required, at least temporarily, to take some of the pressure off of the swollen nerve. If the less invasive methods don’t work, or the problem persists, your podiatric physician may decide that surgical intervention is the best way to relieve the pain. There are several methods of surgery, which your doctor can discuss with you.
Foot & Ankle Center, LLC
101 6th Street N.W.
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-299-4551
http://www.flfootandankle.com
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