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Do you have persistent pain in the ball of your foot? Does it feel like you are walking with a pebble in your shoe? You may be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma. Keep reading to learn more about this painful and annoying condition. What is Morton’s Neuroma?Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of the tissue surrounding the digital nerve as it passes under the ligament connecting the toe bones in the forefoot. Usually caused by excessive pressure, irritation, or trauma, it frequently develops between the third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma is 8 to 10 times more likely to occur in women than in men. Signs and Symptoms
If experiencing any of these symptoms, consult your podiatrist. Upon exam, they will feel for a mass or “click” between the bones. Your physician may do a range of motion exam and x-ray to rule out conditions like arthritis or stress fractures. How to Treat Morton’s Neuroma
While Morton’s neuroma can be a painful condition, it is successfully treated non-surgically in over 80% of those affected. Simply making changes to your footwear, using orthoses, and a regime of injections can get your foot back to normal. If you are experiencing foot pain, have it checked out to prevent serious or long term injury. The Foot Specialists of Birmingham are here to help keep you on your feet, pain-free. Contact us today for an appointment. When the nerve located between the third and fourth toes becomes compressed or otherwise irritated, the tissue surrounding it can thicken and become inflamed. This condition is known as Morton’s neuroma, or intermetatarsal neuroma. It can produce symptoms of pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the ball of the foot that develops over time, and some people might have the sensation of a bunched-up sock or pebble in their shoe. It may be brought on by shoes that are too tight or narrow or by engaging in athletics that are played on a court. Additionally, hammertoes, flat feet, bunions and other foot conditions may increase the risk of developing Morton’s neuroma. If you have any symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, it is important to get properly diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist as soon as possible in order to avoid it advancing and possibly leading to permanent nerve damage. Morton’s neuroma is a very uncomfortable condition to live with. If you think you have Morton’s neuroma, contact one of our podiatrists of Podiatry Care Specialists. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot care needs and answer any of your related questions. Morton’s Neuroma Morton's neuroma is a painful foot condition that commonly affects the areas between the second and third or third and fourth toe, although other areas of the foot are also susceptible. Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflamed nerve in the foot that is being squeezed and aggravated by surrounding bones. What Increases the Chances of Having Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a very treatable condition. Orthotics and shoe inserts can often be used to alleviate the pain on the forefront of the feet. In more severe cases, corticosteroids can also be prescribed. In order to figure out the best treatment for your neuroma, it’s recommended to seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose your condition and provide different treatment options. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in West Chester, and Broomall, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Morton’s neuroma happens when the nerve between the toe bones becomes inflamed. Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include pain between your toes and feeling like you’re stepping on a pebble. Initial treatment includes medication, injections and custom orthotics. If the pain is severe, you may need Morton’s neuroma surgery.
Morton’s neuroma affects your forefoot or ball of your foot, between the metatarsal bones and toes. It’s also called intermetatarsal neuroma. When you have Morton’s neuroma, the nerve between the bones of your toes may become swollen and inflamed. You usually feel it on the bottom of your foot, between your toes. The neuroma can feel painful and make it hard to walk. Getting treatment for Morton’s neuroma is important. The neuroma can become larger without treatment. The nerve damage may become permanent. Is Morton’s neuroma a tumor?The “neuroma” in Morton’s neuroma is slightly misleading. Neuromas are noncancerous (benign) tumors found on nerves throughout the body. They involve a growth of extra nerve tissue. With Morton’s neuroma, there’s no growth and no tumor. Instead, the existing tissue around the nerve becomes inflamed and gets bigger. Where does Morton’s neuroma happen?Usually, the neuroma happens between the bones of your third and fourth toes. Those are the two toes closest to the pinky toe (toe No. 5). But Morton’s neuroma can form between the second and third toes as well. You develop the condition when the nerve suffers excessive pressure or compression between the toes. That compression (squeezing) causes inflammation and irritation. Who gets Morton’s neuroma?You may face a higher risk of developing Morton’s neuroma from:
How common is Morton’s neuroma?About 1 in 3 people have Morton’s neuroma. It occurs more often in women than men, likely because of shoe styles. Women are about 8 to 10 times more likely than men to develop Morton’s neuroma.
An irritated or damaged nerve between the toe bones causes Morton’s neuroma. You feel it on the ball of your foot. Common causes of the nerve reacting this way include:
What are the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma?You may not see noticeable signs of Morton’s neuroma on your foot. Since it’s not a tumor, you won’t see a lump, for example. You may feel some pain at first, though it tends to start slowly. In the beginning, you can often improve your symptoms by taking your shoe off and massaging your foot. Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma get worse over time. These symptoms include:
During an examination, your healthcare provider will:
What tests will I need for a doctor to diagnose Morton’s neuroma?Most of the time, your provider can diagnosis Morton’s neuroma based on your symptoms and a physical exam. An X-ray won’t show a neuroma. But it can help rule out other conditions that cause foot pain, such as a stress fracture or arthritis. You may also need an ultrasound or MRI to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes, your provider may recommend an electromyography procedure. This test measures the electrical activity of your nerves and muscles. It can rule out nerve conditions that can cause symptoms like those of Morton’s neuroma.
Treatment depends on the severity of the neuroma. There are several treatment options, from those you can do on your own to those done by a healthcare provider. You may need a combination of treatments to get the most relief. Can I treat Morton’s neuroma at home?These steps may improve your symptoms:
What medications can help with Morton’s neuroma?Your provider may recommend medications that can relieve pain and other symptoms. Medications include:
Can orthotics treat Morton’s neuroma?Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that can reduce some of the pain of Morton’s neuroma. A healthcare provider adjusts orthotics to your foot shape. You wear them in your shoe to take the pressure off the painful nerve. Metatarsal pads in your shoe inserts and removable metatarsal pads can also offload the ball of your foot where you are having pain. Will I need Morton’s neuroma surgery?If medications and other treatments haven’t worked, your healthcare provider may recommend foot surgery. A neurectomy is the most common surgery for Morton’s neuroma. The surgeon removes part of the nerve tissue. Surgery can be a successful treatment for Morton’s neuroma. Some people have permanent numbness in the affected toe, though. Surgeons may also recommend using extreme cold, either before the operation or as stand-alone treatment. This therapy, called cryogenic neuroablation, can help reduce symptoms. It destroys some nerve cells, as well as the myelin sheath covering the nerve. Treatment temperatures get as low as 94 degrees below zero Fahrenheit (70 degrees below zero Celsius). Another minimally invasive procedure is radiofrequency ablation. This procedure uses an electric current to heat up your nerve tissue, helping with the pain. For most people, this procedure helps with pain relief — which can last anywhere from six to 12 months or longer.
You can take steps to prevent Morton’s neuroma:
Treatment is effective and can help you get back to living pain-free. Research has shown that a combination of treatments may give the best result:
About 80% of people with Morton’s neuroma are successful using this combination approach. Surgery is also an effective treatment for Morton’s neuroma. About 75% to 85% of people who have surgery find relief from their symptoms. Can Morton’s neuroma come back after treatment?Morton’s neuroma symptoms can come back. If you experience pain and symptoms after treatment, talk to your provider about next steps.
See your healthcare provider (or a podiatrist, a foot specialist), if you have:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?If you have Morton’s neuroma, ask your provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Morton’s neuroma is a treatable foot condition. Symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include pain in your toes. You may also feel like your socks have bunched up or that there’s a pebble under your foot. If you have pain, tingling or other uncomfortable foot symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. Morton’s neuroma treatment includes steps you can take at home to relieve symptoms, such as rest and using shoe pads. Other treatments include medications, injections and, in severe cases, surgery. Treatment is often successful in returning you to your active life, pain-free.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/04/2020. References
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy |