Morton's neuroma is a benign (noncancerous) irritation of nerve tissue that affects the third and fourth toes of the foot.
It's a painful foot pain condition that affects a lot of people.
Morton's metatarsalgia, Morton's illness, Morton's neuralgia, Morton metatarsalgia, Morton nerve entrapment, plantar neuroma, and in the neuroma are all names for this disorder.
A swollen nerve in the ball of the foot causes it.
Continue reading to learn more about Morton's neuroma symptoms and the exercises, home remedies, and other therapies that can help to alleviate them.
Is it possible to reverse Morton's neuroma?
Is it possible to get rid of a Morton's neuroma?
A Morton's neuroma does not go away once it has formed.
The discomfort, on the other hand, can improve or perhaps go away.
The sooner you get therapy, the higher your chances of getting rid of the discomfort.
Treatment
Morton's neuroma patients may need to wear different shoes, take pain medications, or have steroid injections.
Surgery may be required in some circumstances to remove the damaged nerve or relieve the strain on it.
The treatment options will be determined by a number of factors, including the following:
- The degree of symptom severity
- How long have they been there?
- Whether a person has attempted at-home therapies previously
The earlier Morton's neuroma is diagnosed, the less likely it is that surgery will be required.
If self-help efforts are ineffective and the symptoms are severe or chronic, the doctor may suggest:
Corticosteroid injections:
A healthcare expert or foot surgeons will inject a steroid drug into the neuroma area to alleviate inflammation.
Because side effects are possible, a person should only receive a restricted number of injections.
Pain, fat loss at the injection site, skin pigmentation, and high blood sugar are some of the symptoms.
Alcohol sclerosing injections:
Alcohol injections have been demonstrated in studies to lessen the size of Morton's neuromas while also reducing discomfort.
Mortons Neuroma Surgery
A doctor may recommend surgery if previous treatments have failed and the symptoms continue.
Although surgery is usually successful, it can cause lifelong numbness in the affected toes.
As a result, experts advise that you try alternative physical medicine or treatment option first.
By cutting surrounding ligaments or fibrous tissue, the surgeon can remove either the nerve itself or the strain on the nerve.
There are two surgical options available:
- The surgeon makes an incision on the top of the foot since the stitches are not on the weight-bearing side of the foot, allowing the patient to walk shortly after surgery.
- The surgeon uses a plantar approach to make an incision on the sole of the foot.
Most people will need crutches for 2–3 weeks throughout their rehabilitation.
Walking may be difficult as a result of the scar.
The orthopaedic surgeon, on the other hand, can easily reach the neuroma and remove it without harming any structures.
There is a small chance of infection around the toes after surgery.
Tests
A podiatrist — or, in some situations, a sports medicine or orthopedic doctor — will inspect and massage the foot to try to pinpoint the afflicted nerve in order to test for Morton's neuroma.
Any symptoms will be revealed as a result of this.
A movement to elicit a sense of “clicking” between the toes, which is an indication of Morton's neuroma, may also be performed by the doctor.
In addition, the doctor may request one of the following scans to provide a thorough image of the inside of the foot:
An X-ray can rule out other injuries to the foot, such as a stress fracture.
MRI scans:
These scans can detect Morton's neuroma even if there are no symptoms, although they are more expensive than the other imaging tests.
Ultrasound scan:
This scan is reasonably inexpensive, does not expose you to radiation, and can detect Morton's neuroma with the same precision as an MRI.
It can also be used to distinguish Morton's neuroma from other disorders that are similar to it, such as synovitis.
These tests allow the clinician to rule out illnesses including capsulitis, bursitis, and Freiberg's disease, which all have similar symptoms.
Symptoms
The tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes thickens in Morton's neuroma.
Numbness and soreness in the affected area are common symptoms, which can be alleviated by removing shoes and rubbing the foot.
Typically, the pain is stabbing or scorching, although some people may suffer mild pain instead.
Mortons neuroma pain is a condition in which the tissue around nerves thickens, and it commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes.
By squeezing the foot or ankle, the examiner is attempting to analyze the webspace tenderness seen in Morton's neuroma.
When the foot bears weight, most people experience discomfort, albeit it may only develop after a brief period of walking.
At this point, they may have to come to a halt and remove their shoe.
The opposite sides of the third and fourth toes may experience acute discomfort.
These symptoms generally appear out of nowhere and intensify over time.
Morton's neuroma symptoms, such as a lump, are relatively uncommon.
Instead, the following are the most common signs and symptoms:
- People commonly describe scorching sensation as resembling a “red hot needle,” and it can occur unexpectedly while walking.
- Numbness, especially in the toes
- Pins and needles is a name for a tingling, pricking, or numb sensation that has no apparent long-term bodily effect.
- A feeling like something is inside the ball of your foot
Morton's neuroma is characterized by a burning pain in the ball of the foot that frequently extends to the toes.
When a person wears tight, thin, or high-heeled shoes or engages in activities that put pressure on the foot, the discomfort may become much more noticeable at first.
Symptoms might be persistent and extend for days or weeks.
They can get so bad that people who are affected are afraid to move or simply put their foot on the ground.
However, in certain circumstances, the neuroma is asymptomatic.
Morton's neuroma lesions can sometimes be detected on MRI scans in persons who have no symptoms.
The tester uses their thumb and finger to squeeze the web space between the toes to see whether there is any discomfort.
Tenderness in this location is common with Morton's neuroma.
Morton's neuroma discomfort can be relieved with post-surgical wrapping.
The recuperation time for this operation is usually brief.
Exercises
Rest is the best treatment for Morton's neuroma, but if the discomfort is manageable, stretching and strengthening activities can help maintain and enhance arch strength.
Exercises that stretch the lower thigh and calf muscles, as well as the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia around the bottom of the foot, are examples.
To prevent the nerve from becoming irritated again, it's critical to begin exercising the foot cautiously.
Here are some simple exercises to try:
1. Plantar fascia stretch
- Stretch the plantar fascia by laying a towel on the floor and placing your foot on the nearest edge.
- Scrunch the towel with your toes to bring the distant edge of the towel closer.
- This exercise is made more difficult by adding a weight to the towel.
2. Big toe stretch
- Stretch the big toe by sitting on the floor and wrapping an exercise band around it.
- Extend the leg and gently draw the foot back with the band.
- Then, with your big toe, propel your foot forward.
- Rep three times more.
3. Ball roll
- Place a golf ball or comparable sized ball under your foot and roll it for one minute.
- According to research from Trusted Source, a combination physical therapy approach that combines exercises, massage, movement of the afflicted joint, and pain management education may yield the best outcomes.
Remedy at home
Self-help measures for Morton's neuroma, in addition to exercising, include:
- Putting the foot down
- Massage the affected toes and foot
- Putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the afflicted region
- Arch supports — a form of padding that supports the arch of the foot and relieves nerve pressure
- Toes should be spread out in broad-toed shoes to decrease friction.
- Using pain medicines that are available over-the-counter (OTC)
- Adjusting activities until the condition improves, such as avoiding or taking a vacation from activities that place repetitive pressure on the neuroma
- If required, achieving a healthy weight, since this might help persons with obesity problems.
Orthotic devices, arch-supporting shoes, metatarsal pads, and bars are all available over-the-counter.
These can be placed beneath the neuroma.
Taking steps to alleviate the pressure will help to alleviate the pain specially if there is an ingrown toenails.
Causes
Morton's neuroma has no known etiology, according to experts.
It appears to form when the tissues thicken, squeezing and inflaming one of the toe-leading nerves.
This causes a reaction, which results in thicker nerve tissue.
Morton's neuroma patients frequently wear high-heeled or narrow shoes.
The following are some of the conditions and events that can cause the bones to rub on a nerve:
- Shoes with a high heels
- Shoes that are very narrow
- Toes are squashed together in shoes with a pointed or tight toe box.
- Foot with a high arch
- Toes pointing in a different direction
- The entire sole of the foot is in contact with the ground in flat feet.
- A bunion is a painful swelling at the base of the big toe that causes the joint to expand.
- Hammer toe is a malformation of the second, third, or fourth toe joint that causes the toe to become permanently twisted.
- Running, soccer, tennis, karate, and basketball are examples of high-impact sports.
- An injury or damage to the foot is a common occurrence.
- Morton's neuroma is at least five times more frequent in women than it is in men.
Summary
Morton's neuroma is a benign tumor on the bottom of the foot.
As a result of a swollen nerve, it usually occurs between the third and fourth toes.
Although the affected nerve might be uncomfortable, there are a number of home remedies and medical therapies that can help on your affected toe.
If none of these methods work, surgery may be considered.
