What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton`s neuroma is the irritation and compression of a common plantar digital nerve in your foot, often causing numbness and tingling in the toes. With a true neuroma, this compression is a result of thickening of the tissue around the nerve itself. Morton’s neuroma (named for the first doctor to describe the condition), most commonly affects the common plantar digital nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal bones, which causes pain in the third and fourth toes.
What do people with Morton’s Neuroma experience?
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma can include:
- Numbness in toes
- Tingling in toes
- Shooting pain
- Burning pain
- Radiating pain to adjacent toes
- Feeling as though sock is bunched up or wrinkled
- Increased pain with activity
- Relief upon removal of footwear
Risk factors
Risk factors for Morton’s Neuroma:
- High heels
- Tight or ill-fitting footwear
- High impact activity
- Other foot complications (bunions, hammertoes)
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
A stepped approach is often taken for the treatment and management of Morton`s neuroma, moving from least invasive to most invasive. Less invasive treatments include metatarsal pads, footwear modifications, and off-the-shelf (OTS) and custom foot orthotics. These options can be discussed with your pedorthist and other healthcare professionals for conservative treatment of symptoms.
More invasive options, such as medication, corticosteroid and sclerosing alcohol injections, and surgery, may be discussed with your family physician to determine an appropriate treatment plan.
Conservative treatments for Morton’s Neuroma:
Ensure that footwear has adequate width and extra depth in the toe box. This will allow the foot enough room to splay and help minimize mechanical compression of the common digital nerve from the shoe.
Shop Orthotic Friendly Shoes
These work to offload the neuroma by supporting your distal transverse arch. Metatarsal pads can be incorporated into a shoe on its own or on a custom made Morton’s Neuroma orthotic.
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Decrease high impact activities
High impact activity can increase pressure on the feet and worsen symptoms. Reducing this type of activity and ensuring the use of proper footwear can aid in prevention of symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma.
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Maintain a healthy weight
A healthy weight can reduce physical stress and pressure on the foot. Consult your family physician or a dietician for more information and directives.
Prevention of Morton’s Neuroma
Although the exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is unknown, possible causes include irritation, pressure, or injury to the common digital nerve. Proper Footwear is a crucial factor in prevention of pain.
Staying active with Morton’s Neuroma
Staying active with Morton’s neuroma is possible. Choosing the appropriate type and fit of footwear for the given activity is crucial. Footwear should provide adequate width and depth to reduce mechanical pressure on the foot. High impact activity can increase the amount of stress placed on the foot, increasing irritation and worsened symptoms. Choosing lower impact activities can reduce stresses.