This is our all-inclusive guide to Morton’s neuroma. Diagnosis and treatment of this very painful foot condition accurately are commitments to excellence and experience taken by our team of professionals. We understand how debilitating Morton’s neuroma can be to everyday activities and general quality of life. Our goal is to offer the best possible treatments that relieve your symptoms and get you back to living a life without pain. This article will give in-depth information about Morton’s neuroma, describing its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
It is pain located at the level of the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma occurs due to thickening of the tissue surrounding one of the nerves leading to the toes and is characterized by sharp pain, burning, and numbness. People often explain the sensation as if they are standing on a pebble or having a fold in the sock.
Causes of Morton’s Neuroma
Many different factors may be involved in the development of Morton’s neuroma. These include:
- Footwear: High-heeled shoes or tight, narrow shoes compress toes and irritate the nerves.
- Foot Structure: People with conditions such as flat feet, high arches, or bunion deformities are more likely to develop Morton’s neuroma.
- Repetitive Activities: Activities that compress or stress the ball of the foot, such as running or even sporting activities involving jumping, can cause the condition.
- Injury: Any kind of trauma to the foot can also trigger Morton’s neuroma.
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma
The symptoms of Morton’s neuroma may vary, but the most prominent signs are:
- Sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot.
- Tingling or numbness in toes.
- A sensation of walking with a stone in the shoe or having something inside the shoe
- Pain that worsens with activity or tight shoes
Diagnosis
Our skilled team at Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona will need to conduct diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma by conducting the following examinations, which may involve:
- Physical Examination: Tenderness or a palpable mass on examination between the toes
- Imaging Studies: An X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI are used to exclude other causes and confirm diagnosis.
- Treatment Options
- At the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we offer treatments for Morton’s neuroma, depending on the severity of the condition and each patient’s needs. These involve the following:
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Footwear modifications: To avoid compression of the affected nerve, wear shoes with a wide-toe box and avoid high heels.
- Orthotic Devices: Custom orthotics can redistribute pressure more equally across the foot and support the foot properly.
- Padding and Taping: Padding of the affected area and taping of the foot may help in the reduction of pressure put on the nerve.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to help in the reduction of pain and inflammation.
- Corticosteroid Injections: Corticosteroid injections offer temporary relief through the reduction of inflammation in the nerve
Surgical Treatments
In case the non-surgical treatment does not work satisfactorily, options that involve surgery can be available options as:
- Decompression Surgery: It involves the release of the ligament that is compressing the nerve.
- Nerve Removal: In the worst scenarios, pain can be treated by removing the affected nerve.
Aftercare and Recovery
A good recovery depends mostly on how well one takes care of oneself after treatment. Our team will brief you on what to expect and give out detailed aftercare instructions, which include specific tips on how to heal well and keep the issues at bay. This may include:
- Gradually returning to regular activities.
- Wearing shoes that are fitted correctly.
- Physical therapy—exercises to strengthen your foot and increase flexibility.
Prevention Tips
One can avoid the recurrence of Morton’s neuroma by doing all of the following:
Wear shoes with roomy toe boxes, especially if you have toe deformities such as hammertoes or bunions. Avoid shoes with high heels. Use orthotics if advised to do so by your doctor. Maintain a healthy weight. This will help decrease pressure on your feet. At work and during sports, rest your feet. Stretch frequently if you need to stand or walk a lot.
FAQs About Morton’s Neuroma
What is Morton’s neuroma?
- A1: Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition of the ball of the foot, generally between the third and fourth toes. This means the thickening of tissue around one of the nerves that leads to the toes and causes sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot and numbness in the toes.
What are the causes of Morton’s neuroma?
- A2: Several things can lead to Morton’s neuroma, from tight or high-heeled shoes and certain foot structures to repetitive activities that stress the foot, like flat feet or high arches.
What is the diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma?
- A3: Diagnosis typically involves performing a physical exam, although imaging studies may sometimes be necessary to rule out other conditions and confirm their presence.
What are the different modes of treatment for Morton’s neuroma?
- A4: The treatments include non-surgical methods like footwear modifications, orthotics, padding, medications, and corticosteroid injections. In severe cases, either decompression surgery or removal of the nerve may be done.
Is Morton’s neuroma preventable?
- A5: While in most cases it is not preventable, some measures could be taken to minimize risks. These include comfortable shoes with a wide toe box, avoiding high heels, orthotic devices if advised, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking regular breaks for activities that stress the feet.
What is the recovery time after Morton’s neuroma surgery?
- A6: It depends both on the individual and how intrusive the surgery was. Generally, most people are back to normal activity within several weeks to months, with full recovery in as long as six months. Your doctor will be able to give you an idea of what to expect depending on your case.
What are the risks of surgical treatment of Morton’s neuroma?
- A7: Infection, swelling, stiffness, and persistent pain are possible risks that can occur with any surgical procedure. However, these risks are relatively low, and our skilled surgical team at Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona will take every measure to ensure complications are minimized.
Can lifestyle changes help manage Morton’s neuroma?
- A8: Yes, changes in lifestyle would comprise proper footwear, a healthy weight, and staying away from excessive-pressure-causing activities on the feet. This would manage and prevent Morton’s neuroma in due time.
In which group of people is Morton’s neuroma more common?
- A9: Morton’s neuroma is more frequent in women than in men, probably due to the high-heeled or tight shoes worn regularly. It is also more prevalent in middle-aged individuals.
Can physical therapy help with Morton’s neuroma?
- A10: Yes, it can be of much help for Morton’s neuroma. The physical therapist designs some exercises for the patients to strengthen the muscles of the foot, improve flexibility, and teach techniques for pressure decrease on the affected nerve. Physical therapy can thus help in the alleviation of pain and the prevention of its recurrence.
Conclusion
At the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, we truly realize how Morton’s neuroma can affect your everyday life. With that in mind, our dedicated and well-experienced team seeks to offer the most personable and efficient therapy possible for relief and getting you back on track with normal daily activities. If you are having symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, do not hesitate to contact us for an appointment. We will walk with you through it, step by step.
