Foot pain, toe numbness... beware of Morton's neuroma

Morton's neuroma overview

Morton's neuroma was first described in 1876. In fact, this is not a true neuroma. It is the result of fibrosis and degeneration of the tissues surrounding the nerves of the foot. Due to the structural characteristics of the nerve crossing under the interphalangeal ligaments of the foot, when the toes are repeatedly flexed and extended, the nerves of the foot will be compressed, causing pain.

Or to put it more simply, a morton's neuroma is not actually a tumor, but a thickening of the tissue surrounding the nerve that supplies the toes.

Morton’s neuroma usually occurs between the third and fourth toes, usually due to irritation, trauma, or excessive pressure. Studies show that Morton’s neuroma is more common in women than men. And wearing high heels that are too tight can increase the symptoms of this condition.

Symptoms of Morton's neuroma

Because it is not really a tumor, if you have Morton's neuroma, you will not see any external signs, such as a tumor. Common symptoms are burning pain in the foot and radiating to the toes. The pain often increases with activity or wearing shoes. Very few cases feel a sharp pain at night.

In addition, the patient may also experience numbness in the toes, or discomfort in the toes. Athletes may feel pain when starting to run from the starting pedal. In office women, high heels can also aggravate the condition. Tight, narrow shoes are also one of the "culprits" causing this condition by compressing the toe bones and compressing the nerves.

In fact, the majority of patients who come to medical facilities for examination often complain of pain and numbness in the sole of the foot, at the position of the toe near the tumor.

Patients with Morton’s neuroma describe the pain as sharp, burning, or cramp-like. Numbness often accompanies the pain. The pain is usually intermittent, occurring in episodes. Each episode lasts from a few minutes to several hours. Episodes can be several weeks to several months apart. Some patients describe the sensation as walking on marble.

To diagnose the disease, in addition to clinical examination, doctors will feel a mass or "clicking" sound between the bones. At that time, the doctor will examine more closely to find the cause of the pain. To rule out arthritis or whether arthritis is present, doctors will check the range of joint flexion and extension to determine.

X-rays may also be ordered to rule out stress fractures or arthritis of the joints that connect the toes to the foot.

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also of approximately equal value in detecting Morton's neuroma.

What to do when you have Morton's neuroma?

Treatment of morton's neuroma is mainly conservative with pain-relieving drugs and individual treatments.

In addition, patients need to practice physical therapy and change their lifestyle to reduce the symptoms of the disease. Some methods such as massage, cold compresses, using ultrasound waves on the painful area... help reduce pain significantly.

People with the condition may need to change their footwear habits: Avoid high heels or tight shoes, and wear roomier shoes with lower heels and softer soles. This gives the bones more room and can reduce pressure on the nerve, giving it time to heal.

In some cases, doctors prescribe orthotics, orthotic insoles prescribed by a doctor also help reduce irritation by elevating and separating the bone, reducing pressure on the nerve. Some studies have shown that wearing more comfortable, roomy shoes, injections of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotic insoles, and cortisone injections help relieve symptoms in more than 80% of people with Morton's neuroma. Surgery is considered when conservative treatment is not effective.

In short,Morton's neuroma is not a true neuroma. When the cause is determined and treated appropriately with changes in activities and appropriate footwear. The symptoms caused by this disease will recover well. Therefore, when there are suspicious signs, the patient should go to a medical facility for examination and treatment.