Developing Morton’s Neuroma – Who is Vulnerable to It

Morton’s neuroma causes thickening of the tissue around the nerves leading to your toes. It is a painful condition affecting the ball of your foot between the third and fourth toes and the tissue around the nerves. Neuroma foot feels like you are standing on a pebble or a fold in your sock. It causes a burning, sharp pain in the ball of the foot that radiates into the toes. The toes may feel numb, sting, tingling, and a burning sensation.

Who is vulnerable to developing Morton’s Neuroma?

Certain footwear

Shoes that are ill-fitting or high heeled shoes place extra pressure on the toes, and the ball of the foot causes the development of Morton’s Neuroma. It commonly affects women who wear high heels more because of compressing the toes together.

Certain sporting activities

High impact athletic activities that cause repetitive trauma to the feet, such as running and jogging, put extra pressure on the nerve of the foot. Also, sports that require wearing tight shoes such as rock climbing and snow skiing that puts pressure on your toes.

Foot deformities

Experts believe foot deformities are be associated with Morton’s Neuroma development. It is because the conditions cause the metatarsal bones to rub against the nerves. If you have the following, you might be vulnerable to the development of neuroma foot:

• Hammertoes, where the middle joint of the toe is bent, and pressure is applied when one has footwear on.
• A bony swelling, known as a bunion, puts pressure on the nerves of the foot.
• Irregularly positioned toes.
• Flat feet if you have a low arch or have no arch at all.
• High arches that cause the instep of the foot to be raised.

Overweight

If you are overweight, you are at risk because the extra weight puts pressure on your feet. If you add footwear, it causes pressure to build on the nerves in the foot.

Home remedies

If you are experiencing pain from Morton’s neuroma, consider self-care to allow the nerve to heal.

• Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
• Use ice packs regularly massage to reduce pain. Roll the pack over the affected area and painful site.
• If you are suffering due to foot deformities, you can buy footpads and arch supports. Fit inside your shoe to reduce the pressure placed on the nerve. They are available over the counter or consult a foot doctor who can mold an exact fit for your foot.
• Change your footwear to lower heeled shoes or shoes with extra depth and a broad toe box.
• Take a break from active sports. You can reduce aerobic exercises, jogging, or dancing that put extra pressure on your feet.

If these home remedies do not work, the doctor might recommend other Morton’s neuroma treatment such as steroid injection, decompression surgery, and in severe cases, removal of the nerve is done.

Here at DeNiel Foot and Ankle Center  located in Houston, Texas, and covering surrounding areas like Cypress, and Katy, TX. Ejodamen Shobowale, DPM and her highly skilled staff provide personalized comprehensive care for all your podiatry and sport medicine needs. Whether the issue is foot-related like hammertoes, or toenail fungus or involves pain in the heel , nerves, or joints, Dr. Sho, as she is fondly called, can get you back on your feet in no time.