Morton's Neuroma - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Morton's neuroma is also known as Morton's metatarsalgia, Morton's neuralgia, plantar neuroma and intermetatarsal neuroma. It is growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body. Morton's neuroma occurs in a nerve in your foot, often between your third and fourth toes. It is not actually a tumor, but a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve leading to the toes. Morton's neuroma causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb if you have Morton's neuroma. The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates swelling of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage. The incidence of Morton's neuroma is 8 to 10 times greater in women than in men.

Causes

1. Anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve can lead to the development of a neuroma.
2. The most common cause of Morton’s neuroma is wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill-fitting, including those that box in your feet and place pressure on your toes.
3. The persons who involves in high-impact athletic activities, such as jogging may have cause feet to repetitive trauma
4. People with certain foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet or more flexible feet are at higher risk for developing a neuroma.
5. An injury in your foot can lead to cause Morton’s neuroma.
6. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot.

Symptoms

1. A Morton's neuroma causes a burning sharp pain on the bottom of the foot in the involved area. The pain may spread to nearby toes.
2. There may be Tingling or numbness in your toes.
3. Neuroma pain is distinguishable from simple structural foot pain by the fact that it is constant and not relieved by rest.
4. In severe cases there may be bleeding, bruising, deformity, or sometimes you may not bear weight.
5. The pain of in this disease is relieved temporarily by taking off your shoes, flexing your toes and rubbing your feet. It may be aggravated by standing for prolonged periods or by wearing high heels etc.

Treatment

1. Your may be prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or sulindac to reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Steroids are medications that reduce inflammation. An injection of a corticosteroid medication in the area of the neuroma may reduce pain. However, overuse of injected steroids can lead to a number of side effects, including weight gain and high blood pressure
3. Avoid high heels or tight shoes, and wear wider shoes with lower heels and a soft sole.
4. Simple treatments such as resting the foot, better fitting shoes, anti-inflammation medications, and ice packs.
5. In severe cases of Morton's neuroma, surgeons remove the nerve associated with painful symptoms. Surgical options for other types of metatarsalgia include reshaping joints and modifying irregularly shaped bones.