Neuroma Specialist

What is Morton’s neuroma?

A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue. It can affect various parts of the body, and the most common neuroma that affects your foot is called Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma affects the nerves leading to your toes, usually those between your third and fourth toes. You also feel the symptoms in the ball of your foot. 

The telltale symptom of Morton’s neuroma is that you feel like you have a pebble in your shoe. Given that, you may picture a visible growth or lump, the size of a pebble, sticking out of your foot. However, Morton’s neuroma doesn’t cause any visible signs.

Other symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include tingling and numbness in your toes. You may also experience a burning sensation that radiates from the ball of your foot to your toes.

Early on, the pain of Morton’s neuroma gets worse when you walk or wear shoes but improves with rest. When left untreated, your symptoms can become more intense and linger after you stop putting pressure on your foot. The neuroma may grow and permanently affect the nerves leading to your toes.

What causes Morton’s neuroma? 

Morton’s neuroma results from excess pressure, irritation, or injury. Anything that compresses the nerves between your toes can lead to the condition developing. Often, it develops when your shoes are too tight, crowding your toes.

Certain physical activities put you at risk for Morton’s neuroma. High-impact exercises like running and tennis, which puts repetitive stress on the balls of your feet, can cause a neuroma to develop.

Your foot structure may also put you at risk of Morton’s neuroma. You’re more likely to develop the condition if you already have other foot determonies, including bunions, flat feet, hammertoes.

How is Morton’s neuroma diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose Morton’s neuroma, Dr. Abdelmalak examines your foot. He presses on different areas to look for a mass or tender spot on your foot and checks to see if the pressure causes any symptoms.

If you have Morton’s neuroma, and it’s not advanced, he usually recommends conservative treatment. It’s important to avoid putting further stress on your foot and manage your pain. 

To reduce the pressure on the neuroma, it’s important to wear comfortable, properly-fitting footwear, which may include orthotic shoe inserts. This can also prevent neuroma from returning. Pain management may include oral anti-inflammatory medication and steroid injections.

In rare cases, Morton’s neuroma requires surgery to correct. Techniques vary but usually involve either relieving pressure on the thickened nerve or removing the nerve itself.

To get a diagnosis for pain in the ball of your foot, schedule an appointment at Mountain View Foot & Ankle Care online or over the phone.