Morton's Neuroma

What is Morton’s neuroma?

A neuroma of any kind occurs when nerve tissue thickens, which can cause considerable problems under normal circumstances. Now, take that neuroma and place it on the ball of your foot and you get an idea of how exponentially worse these conditions can be, making even the simple act of standing on your feet uncomfortable or painful.

What are the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma?

Because Morton’s neuroma involves your nerve, the symptoms can vary and include:

• The feeling of standing on a pebble
• Numbness, tingling, or wad sensation in the ball of your foot
• Nerve pain, which can be sharp and burning

Your symptoms may be localized or radiate into your toes, depending upon the degree of the neuroma. As well, these symptoms typically come on gradually and only get worse the longer your neuroma goes untreated.

What causes Morton’s neuroma?

There are several different causes of, or contributors to, Morton’s neuroma, including:

• Wearing high heels or pointy shoes
• Foot deformities
• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Flat feet
• Repetitive stresses from high-impact sports

This last point is worth highlighting because repetitive stress on the balls of your feet can also cause a condition known as metatarsalgia, which mimics Morton’s neuroma and can even lead to one because of the metatarsal stress.

How is Morton’s neuroma treated?

When you first come into Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center, your podiatrist reviews your symptoms, your medical history, and your activities. If they suspect Morton’s neuroma, they use advanced ultrasound imaging to get a closer look at what’s going on inside your foot. If they identify a neuroma, they recommend the next steps.

If you catch Morton’s neuroma early, the doctor is often able to take more conservative action, including:

• Orthotics
• Changes in footwear
• Steroid injections
• Regenerative injections
• A nerve ablation

If these measures don’t provide you with relief, your doctor may turn to a surgical solution, wherein they remove the nerve or relieve the pressure on your nerve by removing certain ligaments.

If you suspect you may be dealing with Morton’s neuroma, it’s important to make an appointment at Ahwatukee Foot & Ankle Center at the first signs of a problem. Simply call or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.