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Morton’s neuroma is a condition that occurs when a nerve between two of the toes, most commonly the third and fourth toes, is compressed. The nerve becomes irritated and inflamed, causing swelling and considerable pain in the toes and the ball of the foot.
The condition can be treated in several ways; sometimes it can be managed with home remedies and exercises, but more serious cases may call for numbing injections or surgery.
The different treatments are detailed below. For more details on the condition, in general, visit our Morton’s Neuroma page.
Footwear
It is believed that ill-fitting footwear can cause Morton’s neuroma as it squeezes the metatarsal bones (the long bones in the foot) together, causing the nerve at the base of the toes to become compressed and irritated. Pointed and high heeled shoes are particularly bad for this as the squish the toes and put pressure on them. Therefore, doctors advise that you should wear shoes that fit correctly and that do not rub or squeeze the feet.
It is a good idea to get your feet measured properly, you may believe that you are wearing the right-sized shoes but feet can change shape over time and you may be wearing a size too small or big. Getting measured will ensure you know the exact size and can buy shoes that won’t worsen the condition
Also, avoid wearing high heels wherever possible as they put pressure on the toes. Save them for a special occasion!
Orthotics
Orthotics are cushioned soles that go in the shoes to provide support to the feet and help realign the bones. These foot orthotics can be used to relieve pressure on the nerve and therefore reduce the swelling and pain. They are not just designed for Morton’s neuroma but are used to treat some other foot ailments, such as bunions or high arches.
Orthotics can be bought from pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription but it is best to get a doctor or podiatrist to prescribe you custom orthotics so that they will work with your feet.
In addition, if you have flat feet and you develop fallen arches, it’s a good idea to see a medical professional to determine the cause. You can visit the Tread Labs webpage for more information.
Calf Exercises
Sometimes exercising the calf muscles can help ease the pressure on the affected nerve in the foot. This should also help alleviative the pain. Only do exercises that a medical professional has suggested, otherwise you may cause more harm to the area.
Medication
Over-the-counter medicines are usually enough to treat the pain caused by Morton’s neuroma. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen, are the best as they will help to reduce the swelling as well. Always ensure that you take the pills as described on the packet.
Numbing Injections
If medicine doesn’t ease the pain then your doctor may suggest getting injections to numb the area. These are usually a local anesthetic or steroids which are injected into the affected part of the foot. Often, ultrasound is used to guide the needle to the right spot Pname Com Facebook Orca. This is effective as it gets to the correct part of the foot to relieve the pain.
Surgery
If none of the above treatments work then surgery may be required. This is rare as Morton’s neuroma can usually be managed using at-home treatments and medication, however, your podiatrist may suggest surgery if the pain is particularly bad or if the condition does not get better.
There are two types of Morton’s neuroma surgery; nerve decompression and nerve resection. In a nerve decompression procedure, a doctor will make more space around the nerve so that it is not under so much pressure. This should relieve the irritation and pain.
Nerve resection involves removing the nerve completely and is only done in severe cases of Morton’s neuroma. This is effective as the cause of the pain is no longer there, however you can be left with less sensation in the area.
Both types of operation are performed through a small incision in the foot and it will take up to four weeks to recover from them.
