Morton's Neuroma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Mortons Neuroma?

Morton's neuroma is a benign or noncancerous nerve tissue inflammation that occurs in the forefoot or ball of the foot, commonly between the third and fourth toes. It is an unpleasant and common condition. The neuroma can be painful and make walking difficult. It is critical to seek treatment for Morton's neuroma. Without treatment, the neuroma may become larger, and the nerve damage may be irreversible.

Neuromas are benign tumors that develop on nerves throughout the body, and the expansion of additional nerve tissue characterizes them. There is no tumor or development in Morton's neuroma; instead, the tissue surrounding the nerve becomes irritated and expands. The condition is caused by severe pressure or compression on the nerve between the toes, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Morton's metatarsalgia, Morton's neuralgia, Morton's illness, Morton's nerve entrapment, intermetatarsal neuroma, and plantar neuroma are all various names for this disorder.

What Is the Cause of Mortons Neuroma?

Shoes that are super tight or have high heels frequently cause Morton's neuroma. The nerves in the feet may become crushed or irritated due to wearing these shoes. As a result of the strain which is put on the inflamed nerve, it thickens and becomes increasingly painful. A foot or gait anomaly is another possible cause, which can cause instability and pressure on a nerve in the foot. Morton's neuroma is frequently linked to-

• High arches.

• Bunions (painful, localized inflammation at the base of the big toe that enlarges the joint).

• Flat feet.

• Hammer's toes are a malformation of the second, third, or fourth toe joint that causes the toe to become bent permanently.

It is also connected to activities like:

• High-impact sports, for example, jogging or tennis, can strain the feet. Snow skiing and rock climbing require tight shoes and can cause toe discomfort.

• Ballet, as they also require tight shoes.

A neuroma can occur due to various factors, such as a squashed, strained, or wounded toe nerve or injury to the foot.

What Are the Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma?

Morton's neuroma may not show up as visible symptoms on the foot. For example, one would not see a lump because it is not a tumor. Some discomfort may be experienced at first, but it usually subsides. Taking the shoe off and massaging the foot can help alleviate the sensations. Morton's neuroma symptoms worsen over time. Among the symptoms are:

• Tingling (pins and needles) and numbness can be felt in the foot.

• Standing or walking causes a sharp, stinging, or burning sensation between the toes.

• Feels like one has a bunched-up sock or a little rock under the ball of their foot.

• Swelling is observed between toes.

• Wearing high-heeled shoes or standing on the balls of the feet aggravates the pain.

Apart from these symptoms, one may discover that removing their shoe and massaging the foot relieves the pain.

How to Diagnose Mortons Neuroma?

The doctor may need to question the patient about the symptoms and inspect their foot to determine if they have Morton's neuroma. However, more testing may be required to be certain about the condition. The doctor may use the following methods to diagnose:

• The doctor will inquire about the discomfort one was experiencing when it began, the shoes one wears, and their job and other activities.

• The doctor will most likely press on the foot to see if there is any tenderness. A clicking sensation between the toes can also detect Morton's neuroma.

• The doctor may use an X-ray to rule out other issues, such as fractures.

• The doctor will move the foot and toe around to discover if arthritis or joint inflammation is the source of the pain and test for a range of motion.

• Ultrasound employs sound waves to create pictures and is useful for detecting Morton's neuroma and other soft tissue disorders.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examines the soft tissues using radio waves and a magnetic field. Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an expensive test, doctors generally do not utilize them to diagnose Morton's neuroma.

What Is the Treatment for Mortons Neuroma?

The severity of the symptoms will determine how one is treated. The doctor frequently uses a progressive plan. If the discomfort persists, the patient is made to switch to more aggressive treatment.

Home Therapies and Conservative Measures: The use of footpads or arch supports in the shoes is the first step in conservative treatment. These aid in relieving pressure on the nerve in concern. They can be over-the-counter (OTC) inserts or custom-made to fit one's foot by prescription. The doctor may also recommend over-the-counter OTC) pain relievers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID), such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin. Other conservative treatments which can be used are:

• Massaging the ball of the foot.

• Stretching exercises for tendons and ligaments.

• Physical therapy.

• Resting the foot.

• Administering ice to sore regions.

• Exercises to strengthen the ankles and toes.

Injections: If the pain continues, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory medicines to be injected into the painful location. To numb the afflicted nerve, a local anesthetic injection may be given. This may momentarily alleviate the pain. Alcohol sclerosing injections are another option for pain alleviation in the short term. However, long-term research discovered that people who had alcohol injections remained symptom-free for a long time.

Surgery: The doctor may recommend surgery if previous therapies have not provided relief. Surgical options include the following:

• Cryogenic surgery or cryogenic neuro ablation involves killing nerves and the myelin sheath that covers them using extremely cold temperatures.

• Decompression surgery involves removing ligaments and other tissues around the nerve to reduce pressure on it.

• The most common operation for Morton's neuroma is a neurectomy, where the surgeon removes a portion of the nerve tissue.

How to Prevent Mortons Neuroma?

• Wearing the correct size of shoes is one of the best strategies to avoid Morton's neuroma recurrence.

• Choose shoes with a big toe box and many areas for the toes to flex.

• For long periods, wearing tight shoes or shoes with high heels should be avoided.

• If someone stands or walks a lot, consider wearing padded socks to protect the feet.

• Wear padded athletic footwear to safeguard the feet if participating in sports.

• Wear an orthotic insert if the doctor prescribes it to relieve pressure on the ball of the foot.

• Get an anti-fatigue mat if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen or at a standing workstation. These cushioned mats might help the feet feel better.

• A physical therapist can help develop a stretching and exercise plan to strengthen the legs and ankles.

Conclusion:

Morton's neuroma can be treated as a foot ailment. Toe discomfort is one of Morton's neuroma symptoms. One might also notice their socks bunched up or a rock under the foot. Check with a doctor if someone is experiencing pain, tingling, or other unpleasant foot symptoms. Although the illness might be uncomfortable, some home remedies and medical therapies can help, such as rest and shoe padding, shots, exercises, or a change in footwear. Medications, injections, and, in difficult situations, surgery are among the other options. Treatment is frequently beneficial in restoring pain-free activity. Symptoms of Morton's neuroma can reappear. If pain or symptoms following treatment are still present, talk to a doctor about what to do next.