Are you struggling with foot pain that feels like you're standing on a pebble? If so, you may be suffering from Morton's Neuroma. This condition is caused by the tightening of the tissue surrounding the nerve that leads to your feet, resulting in pain, numbness, and burning in the toes and balls of the feet. 

Managing Morton's Neuroma requires a clear understanding of the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options. To help with this, the podiatry team at Physicians Footcare has put together an extensive guide to help you understand and manage foot pain caused by Morton’s Neuroma. Take control of your life and get back to living without foot pain by addressing this condition head-on. 

Causes of Morton’s Neuroma

Foot pain is caused by various risk factors, many of which are proven to be directly related to this condition. The common causes of Morton’s Neuroma are repeated irritation, pressure, and injury on the nerve that leads to your toes and the balls of your feet. The following are common activities and practices that increase your chances of developing Morton’s Neuroma: 

• Wearing high heels or ill-fitting shoes: Tight shoes such as these put extra pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet. 
• High-impact sports: Activities such as running or jogging can lead to repetitive trauma and excess strain on your feet. Sports that require tight-fitting shoes such as skiing and rock climbing can also lead to increased foot pain. 
• Foot deformities: Previous existing conditions such as flat feet, bunions, and hammertoes will put you at higher risk for Morton’s Neuroma. 

Risk factor awareness will make you less susceptible to this condition, and will help prevent foot pain in the long run. 

Symptoms To Look Out For

Many individuals with this condition say that their foot pain is similar to the feeling of standing on a pebble. Even so, Morton's Neuroma does not have any physical signs, such as a bump or growth on the foot. It is important to recognize and address tingling, numbness, or burning in the feet. 

This burning sensation most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toe, but you may also experience pain and numbness in the balls of your feet. You may find that removing your shoes and massaging the area will relieve some of the pain. If the pain becomes persistent, lasting for days at a time, you should consult a podiatrist. 

Podiatrist-Recommended Treatment Options

To diagnose your foot pain, a podiatrist will press the sole to feel for a tender spot where the tissue has thickened. If your pain is diagnosed as Morton’s Neuroma, the intensity of your treatment plan will be dependent on the severity of your condition. For less severe cases, pain can be managed with at-home remedies. But, if your pain level increases, the treatment options will become more serious. 

At-Home Remedies

Lifestyle changes and at-home remedies may help to relieve foot pain and promote healing within the affected nerve. Consider using the following care tips to manage your Morton’s Neuroma:

• Anti-Inflammatory Medication: Ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can be used to reduce pain and swelling in the feet. 
• Ice massage: Roll a frozen water bottle along the bottom of your foot to reduce swelling and alleviate pain. 

For less severe cases, your podiatrist may suggest: 

• Supportive footwear: shoes with a wider toe box will help to alleviate some of the pressure put on the toes and ball of the foot during daily wear. 
• Custom foot orthotics: Insoles will provide extra support and padding which will help to reduce pressure on the affected nerve. These can be purchased over the counter or custom-made to fit your foot exactly. 

These treatment options are suggested for individuals who are experiencing irregular foot pain. If you experience daily and constant pain you would fall into the severe category. 

For more severe cases: 

If the condition worsens and your pain becomes more severe, your podiatrist may result to the following pain management treatments: 

• Steroid injections: These will help to alleviate pain once the injection is placed into the affected area. 
• Decompression surgery: In this case, the podiatrist will relieve pressure on the nerve by cutting away nearby structures such as the ligament that binds some of the bones in the front of the foot.
• Removal of the nerve: In the most severe cases complete removal of the affected nerve may be necessary. 

Managing Morton’s Neuroma

If you can relate to the symptoms and causes and suspect that you may be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma, it is recommended to contact your local podiatrist. Their expertise will provide tailored solutions ranging from advanced treatments to personalized care plans. At Physicians Footcare, our expert podiatrists can help you regain mobility and get back to living your life pain-free. Schedule an appointment with us today!