(866) 552-4866 Kathryn* rarely has time to slow down. As a corporate executive and mother of three, she is constantly on the go with work responsibilities, school schedules, ballet recitals, and everything in between. In fact, she is so busy on most days that she rarely has time to change out of her high heels as she hurries off to the next item on her to-do list. Unsurprisingly, this constant pressure on her feet started to become uncomfortable. It felt like she was constantly walking on a pebble, which had led to persistent ball-of-foot pain. Her doctor diagnosed her with Morton's neuroma, leaving Kathryn eager to learn which Morton's neuroma treatment options would alleviate her symptoms and get her back to her busy routine.
Dealing with a neuroma, or nerve pain, between your toes or on the bottom of your foot can make one step after the next feel like a painful and impossible chore. Morton's neuroma is just one common example of this condition, but the good news is that while the word "neuroma" sounds scary, many people find significant relief once the source of the nerve irritation is identified and properly treated.
Rid Yourself of These Morton's Neuroma Symptoms
- Sharp or burning pain in the ball of the foot between third and fourth toes
- Numbness or tingling in nearby toes
- Feeling of a pebble or small object underfoot
- Toe cramping or radiating discomfort into the foot
- Swelling between your toes
Dealing with Morton's neuroma? Request an appointment with a StrideCare podiatrist today. Our expansive network ensures you receive the foot care you need from a qualified foot doctor near you.
What Caused My Morton's Neuroma?
Morton's neuroma is a noncancerous thickening or inflammation of irritated nerve tissue in the feet. While a person can develop neuromas anywhere on the foot, Morton's neuroma is the most common, impacting around one in every three people, and involves the interdigital nerves in the ball of your foot. These nerves are located between the metatarsal bones that connect your foot to your third and fourth toes.
These neuromas form when the nerves mentioned above become irritated and swell. That said, it's important to note that this doesn't mean a new tissue growth has formed. It is simply your existing nerve tissue becoming swollen and thickened. And since the location is on the bottom of your foot, walking, running, or standing on your foot quickly becomes painful and, depending on the severity, debilitating. Many people say the pain feels like there is a pebble, stone, or marble in their shoe, and they are constantly stepping on it. Others liken it to constantly stepping on a bunched-up area of their sock. Hence, ball-of-foot-pain.
As for what causes Morton's neuroma, it is often due to wearing shoes that compress or strain the forefoot. For instance, Kathryn's story above with constantly wearing high heels. But there are plenty more factors that cause Morton's neuroma.
- Foot structure — People with flat feet or high arches are more prone to neuromas due to the additional pressure these foot types place on the ball of the foot.
- Tight shoes — In addition to wearing high heels, many women also wear shoes with narrow or pointed toes.
- Certain activities — Playing sports like tennis or being an avid long-distance runner places a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet.
- Physical work — Jobs that require you to be on your feet a lot, wear tight shoes, or participate in high-impact activities, like construction or retail work, are also contributors because you're on your feet all day.
- Other health conditions — Beyond flat feet and high arches, individuals with bunions, hammertoes, and certain trauma or injuries can be at risk.
How Do Providers Treat Morton's Neuroma?
The good news is that you don't have to be stuck with that constant feeling of stepping on a pebble. Morton's neuroma treatment can range from a lengthy list of conservative treatment options to surgical procedures. However, even the surgical procedures are minimally invasive and only called upon if the inflamed nerve in the ball of your foot does not respond well to conservative care.
Here are a few options to consider with Morton's neuroma treatment:
- Rest — We start with this one because it is the least invasive way to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and prevent further discomfort. Granted, rest alone may not eliminate the underlying issue since Morton's neuromas don't just go away on their own. But for many people with mild to moderate Morton's neuroma, it's as simple as spending more time off your feet and reducing specific activities to give the irritated nerve a chance to calm down.
- Anti-inflammatory medications — Over-the-counter medications, such as Advil, can reduce ongoing inflammation in the nerve. As the inflammation dissipates, pain is generally reduced, and the nerve has a better chance of healing.
- Change of footwear — Another way to increase healing is to stop wearing the shoes that are causing your Morton's neuroma. This includes avoiding high heels, pointed shoes, and tight shoes. Instead, choose shoes with wide, deep toe boxes.
- Custom orthotics/shoe inserts — Orthotics are often used to address a variety of foot pain and related conditions. Why? Because they can quickly redistribute pressure throughout the foot versus maintaining pressure on one problem area. This supportive foundation makes daily activities more comfortable as you heal.
- Shoe pads — Standard shoe pads can be purchased over the counter as an extra layer of cushion around the nerve in the bottom of your feet.
- Corticosteroid injections — If the above options don't provide relief, a steroid injection directly into the nerve and surrounding tissue can provide temporary relief and make it easier to walk. Again, this isn't a permanent fix, though many people respond well to it as a treatment option for Morton's neuroma.
- Minimally-invasive surgery — For more severe cases, a minimally invasive surgical approach may be recommended to relieve the nerve pressure. One of the more common examples is a neurectomy, which removes part of the affected nerve to create more space and relieve pressure on the nerve. Surgeons can also use extreme cold or electrical currents to destroy a targeted amount of nerve cells.
Consulting a foot doctor can address conditions such as Morton's neuroma. If you would like to discuss your treatment options, schedule an appointment with StrideCare's expert podiatric physicians.
Is it possible for Morton's neuroma to come back after treatment? Sadly, yes. There are plenty of people who battle through this form of nerve pain, find relief, and then deal with a recurrence months later. This is very common. Even so, most experts agree that a combination of the treatments above is often the best way to reduce inflammation, give the nerve a chance to calm down, relieve symptoms, and get you back to pain-free activities.
You need to see a podiatrist for Morton's neuroma if you have:
- Pain that doesn't go away after a few weeks of treatment
- Pain that worsens or returns after conservative treatment
- Symptoms that interfere with hobbies and quality of life
- Ongoing tingling or numbness
A professional evaluation at StrideCare can confirm the situation and guide the next steps in Morton's neuroma treatment. With the right combination of treatment and preventive care, our specialists work to fully eliminate Morton's neuroma while empowering you with the knowledge to keep your feet healthy. Our StrideCare team supports you at every stage, ensuring your recovery is smooth and comfortable.
StrideCare Offers Morton's Neuroma Treatment Options
Dealing with a neuroma between your toes or on the bottom of your foot can be painful and disruptive. This is especially true for those of us who are constantly on our feet or already deal with flat feet or high arches. Morton's neuroma, the most common type of neuroma, tends to affect women more frequently due to anatomical differences and footwear that puts added pressure on the ball of the foot.
The good news is that Morton's neuroma treatment is not hard to find. With over 50 StrideCare clinic locations, finding an experienced, qualified podiatrist near you is easier than ever. A consultation with one of our podiatrists can determine the type, severity, and location of your foot pain issues.
Our podiatry team at StrideCare is committed to providing you with the most comprehensive foot care—including conservative and surgical treatment options. This is equally true for significant foot conditions all the way down to the tiniest of toes. Healthy, pain-free feet make all the difference in our lives, and it is our job to ensure you stay on your feet today, tomorrow, and moving forward.
Please contact us at 866-552-4866 or complete the appointment form to schedule a consultation. At StrideCare, we are here to help, all while providing compassionate patient care.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
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*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.