What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma, also known as Morton’s Metatarsalgia, is a foot condition that occurs as a result of the thickening of the nerve between the ball of foot and metatarsal bones, usually around the third and fourth toes.
Morton’s Neuroma Symptoms
Most of the time, people who suffer from Morton’s Neuroma feel like they are standing on a small mass such as a marble or pebble.
Other Morton’s Neuroma symptoms are tingling, burning, or sharp shooting pains into the toes.
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma can be caused by several factors:
- Tight, narrow width shoes that squash and compress the forefoot, specifically the nerves between the base of the toes.
- A shoe with a heel height higher than the forefoot that forces the weight onto the ball of the foot. Simply put, styles such as pumps, dress shoes and high heels have been associated with Morton’s Neuroma, which explains why the condition is more prevalent in women than men.
- Feet that are hypermobile causing the toes to move more than average which can irritate the nerve.
- Foot conditions such as hammertoes and bunions that squeeze the toes together and place pressure on the nerve.
- High-impact activities such as jogging or running can put intense pressure on the ligament and nerve.
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
Morton’s Neuroma is a very treatable condition that can often be solved just by switching your pair of shoes. To prevent Morton’s Neuroma, it is recommended to wear shoes designed with a wide and round toe box to ensure a pressure free environment around the toes. In addition, the heel height should be level with the forefoot, hence heels should not be worn. Many people also benefit from combining orthotics with their footwear. In instances of a hypermobile foot, an orthotic can help support the arch, align the body and stabilizes the foot. In more complex cases, other treatments such as cortisone injections, cryoablation and radio frequency ablation can be used. In rare cases when all treatment options have failed, the neuroma is surgically removed.
Orthopedic shoes for Morton’s Neuroma are specifically shaped to ease pressure on the nerve and prevent symptoms.
- Extended widths up to extra-extra-wide along with a wide and deep toe box alleviate pressure across the front of the foot and the pain associated with Morton’s neuroma.
- Orthotic insoles that come with the shoes, provide anatomical arch support that straightens the forefoot and help alleviate pressure on the neuroma.
- For those shoe that don’t provide enough support, a variety of either ready-made or custom-made orthotic insoles can be purchased separately for every shoe type and occasion.