Morton’s neuroma is a condition that happens when the nerve between your third and fourth toes becomes compressed, leading to pain in the ball of your foot. It’s also sometimes referred to as intermetatarsal neuromas or interdigital neuromas.
When you have Morton’s neuroma, the tissue surrounding one of the nerves in your foot becomes thickened and inflamed, which can cause a burning sensation in the ball of your foot or tingling around the affected toes. You may also feel like you’re walking on a marble or a fold in your sock.
Morton’s neuroma can happen to anyone, but it most often develops in middle-aged women, and it can have a wide range of causes. If Morton’s neuroma is left untreated, it can worsen and end up requiring surgical removal.
Because of this, Francine Rhinehart, DPM, and the rest of our team at Dr. Rhinehart’s self-named practice want you to better understand Morton’s neuroma. In this blog, we explore the causes of Morton’s neuroma and how we address it.
Morton’s neuroma forms when the nerve between your third and fourth toes becomes compressed and then inflamed and swollen as a result. While there’s no clear singular cause of this irritation and swelling, experts agree that constant pressure on the nerve is typically the culprit.
These are some common things that usually lead to Morton’s neuroma:
Certain foot conditions, such as flat feet, high arches, bunions, or foot trauma from an injury, can increase your risk of developing Morton’s neuroma.
It’s important to treat Morton’s neuroma promptly because ignoring it can lead to serious nerve damage and chronic pain.
If your Morton’s neuroma is mild, we can start with conservative treatments. These include changing out your shoes to ones with a wide toe box, wearing custom orthotic devices, taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. We also offer amniotic regenerative therapy.
However, if the nerve damage is extensive and these moderate treatments don’t relieve your pain, Dr. Rhinehart may suggest surgery to remove the damaged portion of the nerves.
Don’t wait to treat your Morton’s neuroma symptoms. Contact Dr. Rhinehart for expert podiatric care by calling our Dallas, Texas, office or by scheduling an appointment online.
