Morton's neuroma may be caused by pressure or injury, such as from running or use of high heels.
Morton's neuroma may feel like a pebble in a shoe or a fold in a sock. There may be sharp, burning pain or numbness in the ball of the foot or toes.
Treatment might include arch supports and foot pads, corticosteroid injections, strength exercises, wide-toe shoes, or surgery.
Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
More common in females
Can last several weeks or months
Common for ages 35-50
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock.
Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.
High-heeled shoes have been linked to the development of Morton’s neuroma. Many people experience relief by switching to lower heeled shoes with wider toe boxes. Sometimes corticosteroid injections or surgery may be necessary.
In some people, neuroma of the foot does not show any symptoms or pain.
Progression of the disease follows the following pattern:
- At first, the symptoms are seen occasionally while wearing suffocating shoes or performing aggravating activities
- Symptoms fade away by avoiding such shoes and activities
- Over a period of time symptoms may worsen and lasts for days
Symptoms are more severe when the neuroma enlarges
Common symptoms include-
- Pain in the forefoot and between the toes
- Tingling and numbness in the ball of foot
- Swelling between the toes
- Pain in the ball of foot when weight is placed upon it
- Feeling as if you are standing on a pebble
- Burning pain in the foot
- A feeling that something is inside the ball of foot
- Biomechanical deformities such as high arched or flat foot
- An injury or trauma leading to nerve damage
- Improper footwear such as excessively tight or high heeled shoes
- Involvement in such activities or sports that place pressure on the foot
- Try not to wear high heeled shoes
- Wear shoes that do not pressurize or compress your toes and foot
- Do not excessively exert your foot with rigorous activities and tasks
Long term nerve damage may lead to extreme difficulty while walking.
Can be identified by physical examination. Imaging test are done to rule out any other conditions.
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