Morton’s Neuroma
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma is the benign but painful growth (or sometimes inflammation/thickening of) of nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes. Typically, Morton’s Neuroma is not visible outwardly.
What causes Morton’s Neuroma?
- Tight or restrictive footwear (this condition is particularly common amongst women)
- Biomechanical abnormalities e.g. flat feet or high arches that can cause excess loading on the toe joints
- Bunions and hammer toes
- Some high-impact sports
- Previous injury
- Tight calf muscles
Morton’s Neuroma symptoms
- The painful or uncomfortable sensation that you’re standing on a pebble in your shoe
- Burning pain in the ball of your foot which can radiate towards your toes
- Pain or burning sensation between toes
- Tingling or numbness in your toes
- Pain when walking, particularly when wearing certain shoes
- Ease of pain when resting or not walking
Morton’s Neuroma treatments:
- REST: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation
- Ice application to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief
- Footwear modification
- Custom Orthotics such as shoe inserts or heel lifts
- Physical therapy, with particular focus on strengthening of calf muscles
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery (in extreme cases where the condition doesn’t respond to conservative treatments)