Expert Diagnosis & Treatment for Morton’s Neuroma

Causes & Risk Factors for Morton’s Neuroma

People who regularly participate in high impact athletic activities like running, tennis and football are at higher risk for developing Morton’s neuroma. The force and vibrations in the foot caused by these activities, irritate the nerve and the body responds by generating more tissue to surround and protect it.

Morton’s neuroma is also more common in older women with a history of wearing tight, high-heeled shoes. This type of footwear compresses and irritates the nerves in the foot, triggering the body to surround them with additional tissue.

Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma

The main symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include:

• Shooting pain or burning sensations between the third and fourth toes
• Numbness or tingling in the ball of the foot or toes
• A sensation that there’s a stone or a marble in your shoe

As the condition worsens, the pain may radiate beyond the toes and into the foot. With increased pain, people will often unconsciously adjust their gait to reduce pressure on the foot. This can put additional stress on other muscles and may lead to muscle cramps, particularly in the calf.

Without treatment, the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma are likely to get worse over time. In severe cases, it can become larger and cause permanent damage so it’s important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation if you are experiencing any new pain or swelling in your feet.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Morton’s Neuroma

To diagnose Morton’s neuroma, your doctor will take a comprehensive medical history and discuss your lifestyle to determine if you have risk factors for this condition. A physical exam will also be performed during which the doctor will press on various locations on the bottom of the foot to feel for masses or tenderness.

An X-ray will likely be ordered to rule out other potential causes of pain such as tiny stress fractures in the foot. If Morton’s neuroma is suspected, additional imaging exams may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Ultrasound is often the exam of choice as it is very good at revealing soft tissue abnormalities such as neuromas.

If the diagnosis is confirmed and the condition is in the early stages, your doctor will likely first recommend the following conservative treatments:

• Wearing no- or low-heeled footwear with a wide toe box.
• Arch supports and foot pads. These may be custom-made for you or purchased online or in certain stores.
• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.
• Corticosteroid injections.

Corrective Surgery for Morton’s Neuroma

If conservative treatments fail to manage pain and symptoms and the condition worsens, your healthcare provider may recommend one of the following surgical procedures:

• Decompression surgery. Designed to relieve pressure on the nerve, this procedure involves cutting the ligaments near the affected area.
• Nerve removal. If other treatments have been ineffective, surgical removal of the nerve may be necessary. Although this treatment is effective, it can result in permanent numbness of the toes.