Mortons Neuroma: Common Symptoms
A neuroma is characterized by a noncancerous lump of nerve tissue that can grow in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma is a condition in which compression occurs to the nerve located between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, causing thickening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as tingling and numbness of the toes begin to occur. These symptoms tend to become more evident when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, causing pain.
A Common Cause of Mortons Neuroma
Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not entirely clear, but anything that places abnormal pressure on this nerve can result in the thickening of this tissue. Mortons Neuroma can be caused by wearing high heeled shoes that constrict the toes. Also, having flat feet can cause the metatarsals to drop, which places pressure on this nerve. Thickening of this tissue can also be caused by irritation to the nerve or injury.
Triggers for Metatarsal Pain
Ball of foot pain is another foot condition that presents itself as pain in the this area. This problem is a frequent occurrence among women who wear high-heeled shoes, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. When the structure of the foot is weakened, it causes the bones of the foot to drop. We can experience pain when we wear shoes that do not provide the proper support and cushion. Also, people that suffer from excessive pronation can experience metatarsal pain in the ball of their feet. A condition called over-pronation occurs when the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to a painful arch.
Diagnosis and Treatments for Mortons Neuroma
Proper diagnosis is the key to determining the correct treatment for this condition. A podiatrist will tend to examine the foot by pushing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pushing into the space between the third and fourth toes. The doctor can simply feel the neuroma, in most cases. The doctor may also try pushing on the painful area and squeezing the entire foot at the same time to elicit a clicking noise, which is called Mulder’s sign. If the doctor is not able to verify a neuroma, he or she can employ other tools such as an x-ray to discard the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows physicians to clearly notice a neuroma.
Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can comprise several options, from resting the foot to surgery. In many cases the doctor will try the most conservative treatments first. These include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying orthotic shoe inserts to improve arch support. Orthotics also assist in distributing your weight more evenly over the entire foot, relieving the pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases you will see an improvement by using a combination of these conservative treatments. In severe cases, where these options are not helpful, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to shrink the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only feasible option.
Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you suffer from intense pain in your feet, it is best to have a physician examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause.