NEUROMA
WHAT IS MORTON’S NEUROMA?
It is a common condition that causes pain in the ball of your foot — most often in the area between the third and fourth toes.
The feeling is often compared to having a small rock — or marble — stuck in your shoe. It is a thickening of the tissue surrounding the nerves that lead to the toes.
MORTON’S NEUROMA SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
Ill-fitting shoes—like those that squeeze toes together or distribute weight unevenly — are thought to be the main cause of this foot condition. Those suffering from it often find relief by changing shoes, stopping walking, or rubbing the affected area.
While poor shoe choice is usually the main cause of it, there are a number of other factors that contribute to its development. Some of these include:
Trauma
Biomechanical deformities
Repeated stress
Overuse
In most cases, there are no outward symptoms related to Morton's neuroma. Instead, most people experience a burning pain in the ball of their foot, tingling or numbness in the toes after a long period of stress, or the feeling of walking on a pebble in your shoe.
When pain persists for more than a few days, see your podiatrist to discuss your treatment options.
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT OF MORTON’S NEUROMA
To diagnose this foot condition, your foot nerve doctor will perform a physical exam, where they will feel around for a mass or tender spot. Some imaging tests — like X-rays or an ultrasound — may be ordered to rule out any other causes of your foot pain.
In most cases, it can be treated with non-surgical and non-invasive methods. Some of these treatments include:
Changes in footwear
Cortisone injections
Ice/rest
Anti-inflammatory medications
If conservative approaches don’t relieve symptoms, your foot nerve doctor may recommend surgical treatment. These procedures may include a procedure where pressure is relieved from the nerve by cutting the nearby structures, known as decompression surgery.
Our doctors may also recommend removing the affected nerve altogether. The treatment our foot nerve doctor chooses depends on the severity of your symptoms. Schedule an appointment with Foot & Ankle Centers today.
NEUROPATHY
NEUROPATHY PAIN MANAGEMENT
Do your feet feel numb, do they tingle, are they burning? Are you experiencing shooting pains, a loss of balance, or the feeling that your sock is rolled up under your toes?
IF SO, YOU MAY HAVE PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.
There are over 100 known causes of this foot condition, and you may be especially prone to developing it if you are a diabetic.
Our foot doctor can perform a simple skin biopsy in which we will determine the concentration of small nerve fibers in your lower extremity. It allows us to diagnose and effectively treat your condition.
TREATMENT FOR NEUROPATHY
Treatment for this condition includes nutritional supplements, prescription medications, injection therapy, and, in some cases, surgical procedures to release swollen and compressed nerves.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms or have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is essential that you schedule an appointment with Foot & Ankle Centers for a complete evaluation.