At Dr. Gary Evans, DPM, our goal is to provide our patients with top-notch care. One of the many services we provide is the care and treatment of Morton’s Neuroma; a potentially painful condition affecting the ball of the foot.
Today, we’re going to highlight this service, explain what Morton’s Neuroma is, and tell you exactly how we diagnosis and treat it to get you back on your feet.
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma is a common, painful condition that affects the ball of the foot. Are you experiencing pain between your third and fourth toes? This could be a sign of Morton’s Neuroma. Those who suffer from this condition commonly compare it to the feeling of having a small pebble in their shoe.
Essentially, this condition involves a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the nerves leading to the toes.
Potential Symptoms Linked to Morton’s Neuroma
Symptoms can vary from extreme to hardly noticeable, but the most commonly reported are:
- Feeling like you’re standing on a pebble in your shoe
- Feeling as if you’re standing on a small fold in your sock
- A burning sensation that radiates from the ball of the foot into the toes
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the feet
If you experience any of these feelings for more than a few days, you should schedule an appointment with your podiatrist to discuss the best treatment plan. Letting the symptoms go for too long can result in a more rigorous treatment plan in the long run.
Likely Causes of Morton’s Neuroma
The cause of Morton’s Neuroma is most commonly linked to irritation or trauma in the nerves leading to the toes. Other causes may include:
- Poorly fitting shoes that lead to improper weight distribution or squeeze the toes together
- High heels
- Biomechanical deformities
- Excessive stress on the feet
Diagnosis and Treatment
The first step in diagnosing Morton’s Neuroma is to schedule an appointment with a qualified podiatrist.
The podiatrist will do a physical exam, feeling around the feet for a mass or tender spot. It’s possible that there may be a clicking feeling between the bones of the foot as well. Ultrasounds, x-rays, or other imaging tests may be ordered to rule out other causes of pain.
If your podiatrist determines the cause of your pain and symptoms is Morton’s Neuroma, a fairly non-invasive approach to treatment is favored, depending on the severity of the condition.
Your podiatrist may recommend the following:
- Physical therapy
- Custom shoe inserts
- Changing up your footwear
- Cortisone injections
- Ice treatment
- Rest and staying off of your feet
- Anti-inflammatory injections
If the condition is more severe, or non-invasive treatment is not helping, the podiatrist may then move to the following treatment plans:
- Decompression surgery
- Removal of the nerve
Let’s Discuss Your Options…
The number one step you can take is seeking professional medical advice a podiatrist can give, and to not wait before the pain gets severe before scheduling your appointment. Waiting only prolongs treatment and feeling better,
Dr. Evans and Dr. Korponay and their staff are here for you. If you would like more information about a specific foot condition and the treatment options we offer, call our office today at our New York or Whitestone, NY office location.