A Chesapeake Podiatrist Explains Painful Truth About Morton’s Neuromas
If you sometimes have the uncomfortable sensation of a rock stuck in your shoe or a fold in your sock but don’t find anything when you take a closer look, you may have Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is a common foot condition that results from the thickening of the tissue around the digital nerve that leads to the toes. While Morton’s neuromas are sometimes referred to as tumors, they’re not cancerous. At Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center, our experienced neuroma podiatrist team regularly treats Morton’s neuromas and provides quality care and education to help you find relief.
Table of Contents
Signs of Morton’s Neuroma
A Morton’s neuroma develops between the third and fourth toes on the ball of your foot. However, not everyone experiences this condition the same way. There are various indicators of this condition:
- Feeling like there’s a pebble in your shoe or that your sock is bunched up
- Stinging, stabbing pain in the ball of the foot near the toes
- Numbness or tingling in the toes or ball of the foot
- Cramping toes
- Radiating or burning pain in the ball of the foot or toes
- Pain or swelling that gets worse over time, especially while standing, walking, or running
- Sharp pain when you raise up onto the toes
- Inability to continue some activities due to pain
- A popping sensation when walking
- Pain while wearing shoes that squeeze the toes
Typically, only one foot is affected, but some people develop more than one neuroma on the same foot.
Neuroma Risk Factors
Several things cause Morton’s foot neuromas. As highlighted in “9 signs you may have a foot neuroma and your treatment options,” if one or more of the items below apply to you, making some lifestyle changes to reduce pain and immobility might be necessary.
Footwear
Women experience neuromas at least five times as often as men, partially because women are more inclined to wear shoes that squeeze their toes together or place pressure on the balls of their feet. High heels and shoes with pointy toe boxes are common culprits behind neuroma development.
High Impact Sports
Athletes who spend a lot of time jogging, running, or in tight footwear may experience a lot of pressure and trauma to their feet. Basketball, tennis, hockey, rugby, rock climbing, skiing, and cross-country running are all examples of high-impact sports.
Foot Deformities
Different medical conditions that alter foot shape also contribute to thickening tissue. Bunions, high arches, flat feet, hammer toes, and other problems compound pain and mobility issues, especially if you inadvertently apply pressure on the balls of your feet to avoid these complications.
Standing Continuously
If you’re on your feet all day or perform physically active work, this increases lower body force and may result in nerve and tissue damage that leads to a neuroma.
How Annapolis Foot & Ankle Podiatrists Can Help
If you suspect you have a foot neuroma, it’s important to make an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists so they can assess, diagnose, and treat your condition right away. We’ll start by:
- Obtaining a medical history.
- Completing a physical examination and pressing on areas to pinpoint tenderness or unusual warmth.
- Utilize diagnostic equipment like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds to rule out other conditions such as stress fractures, foot deformities, or arthritis.
Treatment Options
There are several ways our skilled podiatrists can help you manage discomfort so you can get on with your life. Our approach to the diagnosis and treatment of morton's neuroma includes the following methods:
- Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Ice the impacted area of the foot for 20 minutes, several times per day
- Rest for a few days
- Start exercises that stretch and strengthen the foot
- Anesthetic or steroid shots
Approximately 80 percent of Morton’s neuroma cases can be effectively treated without the need for surgery. Because surgery carries an increased risk of complications and has a more extensive recovery time than less invasive options, the doctors at Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center and other podiatry experts always explore other available options before recommending surgery. However, should you need a surgical procedure, we’ll explain the different methods and what you can expect during recovery.
Consequences of Ignoring a Neuroma
Just because this tissue isn’t cancerous doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. Morton’s neuromas don’t typically resolve on their own. Not treating them may result in:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain
- Limping
- Need for surgery that could have been avoided with more timely treatment
Tips For Preventing Morton’s Neuromas
If you’re just learning about Morton’s neuromas and want to prevent more from developing in the future, here’s what we often recommend to our patients.
Choose Proper Footwear
Always select shoes that meet the following specifications:
- Heels lower than 2 inches
- Wide toe box that allows you to wiggle your toes
- Soles with good shock protection
To widen the tox box of shoes you already own, you might be able to stretch them—we have suggestions for this process. It’s also a good idea to consider custom orthotics or padded insoles for added shock absorption and to prevent foot deformities from creating further issues.
Weight Management
Studies indicate that carrying extra weight creates excessive wear and tear on your lower body. By some estimates, every additional pound over a healthy weight increases pressure on your feet by up to eight pounds more.
Cross Training
If you participate in a high-impact sport, consider integrating other activities into your routine so that you’re not always stressing your feet. Alternate with non-weight-bearing activities such as swimming, some forms of yoga, and chair exercises.
Taking a Break
Taking regular breaks may be helpful if your work is hard on your feet. Anti-fatigue mats in areas where you have to stand on a hard surface for long periods are also beneficial.
