Morton’s Neuroma is often termed an ‘inter-digital’ neuroma because it is found between the toes of the foot, most commonly the 3rd and 4th toes. It can also occur between the metatarsal bones (the long bones in the forefoot).
It is basically an entrapped nerve which becomes inflamed at the base of the toes due to constant irritation from the surrounding bony structures. If this trauma persists, soft tissue adaptation will result in the thickening of the nerve.
Generally symptoms involve pain and numbness in a specific spot in the ball of the foot, sometimes radiating to the toes.
If you suffer from Morton’s Neuroma, you would probably experience
Constant trauma from the surrounding bones damages the nerve branches and therefore the body will try and protect the nerve by increasing the thickness of the sheath surrounding the nerve. This constant abuse to the nerve branch is present when the foot is unstable. This means that there is an imbalance in the structure of the foot causing abnormal motion. This abnormal motion is the primary factor associated with the formation of a neuroma.
Tight fitting footwear is another common cause for Morton’s Neuroma. Tight footwear compresses the bones in the foot and the nerves that run between them leading to nerve damage.
A neuroma should always be initially treated conservatively. First, this means trying to remove the causative factors. Your Foot Comfort podiatrist will outline a treatment programme for you which consists of two or more of the following steps.
This is the last and most permanent course of action. An incision is made in the top of the foot and the entrapped nerve excised. Obviously the results are permanent but not without some side effects. Your Podiatrist can discuss this course of treatment with you should it be required.
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