Morton’s Neuroma

Nail conditions are usually misdiagnosed and treated as fungal nail infection. Factors and medical conditions can impact the health of a nail and present similarly to fungal nail.

Morton’s Neuroma is a painful condition which commonly affects the interspaces of the 3rd and 4th  metatarsals. The condition involves the thickening of the soft tissue and nerve between the metartsal bones on the ball of the feet. Morton neuroma is often described as a feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe or a fold in your socks.

The exact cause of Morton’s Neuroma is unknown but seems to occur in response to irritation, pressure or injury to one of the nerves that lead to your toes. Below are factors which can lead to the condition:

– High heels and tight footwear
– Foot deformities such as bunions, hammer toes and flat feet
– Pes cavus (high arch feet)- placing excessive pressure on forefoot
– Particular repetitive activity- such as athletes (runners, basket ball and netball players) due to repetitive trauma to the forefoot
– Biomechanical abnormalities

Signs and symptoms

  • Numbness, tingling or burning sensation between the toes
  • Feeling like there is a pebble in your shoe
  • Increased pain when wearing closed and narrow footwear
  • Decreased pain when wearing open footwear

These symptoms can also be found in other conditions such as bursitis, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic patients, fibromyalgia and peripheral arterial disease in the feet.

Diagnosis of Morton’s neuroma

At Foot Lab Podiatry, our podiatrists can perform a thorough medical history and the necessary physical assessments to diagnose your condition correctly and treat it accordingly. You may also be referred for an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for Morton’s neuroma

Based on your preferences and the severity of your symptoms, treatment will begin using conservative measures followed by operative if symptoms persist.

The goal of conservative treatment for Morton’s neuroma is to reduce shock and pressure on the neuroma which results in reduced symptoms and discomfort when walking. Conservative treatment is unable to reverse damage to the nerve and is more successful in neuroma in its early stages of development.

Conservative treatment can consist of the following:

  • Anti-inflammatory medication
  • Icing
  • Rest
  • Avoiding tight-fitting shoes and high heels
  • Wearing shoes with thick soles
  • Heel lifts
  • Adding padding or taping to the ball of the foot
  • Stretching to loosen tight calf muscles
  • Physiotherapy
  • Cortisone injections or alcohol injections
  • Modified custom orthotic with a metatarsal dome can help separate the bones in the foot and reduce pressure and trauma on the affected nerve.