What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a common foot problem where a nerve in the foot becomes inflamed and irritated. This pain is usually located between the bones at the ball of the foot and happens around the base of the 3rd and 4th toes.
What are the Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma can cause a sharp ‘burning’ pain at the ball of the foot at the affected area. This pain can radiate to the nearby toes and is usually increased when walking. Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling or lack of feeling in the foot. The foot is usually tender when the affected area is compressed. Symptoms are similar to metatarsalgia.
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma?
Compression of the nerve between the ends of the 3rd and 4th metatarsal bones at the base of the toes can cause Morton’s Neuroma. Oftentimes an abnormal function of the foot leads to this squeezing action. You may discover the symptoms during or after walking, standing or jumping...whenever you have been putting pressure on the forefoot area. Footwear selection can be a cause of Morton’s Neuroma. High heels or pointed toed shoes cause you to force your foot into a very compressed area. This can pinch or irritate the nerve between the toes and cause pain.
How Do You Treat Morton’s Neuroma?
The first step in treating Morton's Neuroma is to take a look at your footwear. You will want to look for shoes with a high and wide toe area to give you comfort. Orthotic arch supports can be designed to help with the pain. A foot orthotic designed for Morton’s Neuroma will generally have a metatarsal pad or neuroma pad behind the ball-of-the-foot. This helps relieve some of the pressure caused by the inflammation.
Shorter term solutions for Morton’s Neuroma pain relief are rest, antiinflammation medications and applying ice. For persistent pain, your doctor may suggest a local cortisone injection or a surgical procedure to remove the swollen nerve tissue.
If injection or surgery are necessary, make sure something is done afterward to correct alignment problems so the Morton's Neuroma doesn't return. Foot orthotic arch supports with metatarsal or neuroma pads are the best option to help prevent a reoccurrence of Morton's Neuroma.
To see our recommended line of foot orthotics, Click Here: Arch Supports
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