Mortons Neuroma and Metatarsalgia: Relief Using Orthotics - 2:12 AM, 3/11/2009 |
| Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma A neuroma is characterized by a noncancerous swelling of nerve tissue that can grow in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma occurs when there is compression to the nerve found between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, producing hardeining of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as numbness and tingling of the toes begin to occur. These symptoms are more noticeable when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, causing pain.  What Causes the Pain Associated With Mortons Neuroma?Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not 100% clear, but anything that places abnormal pressure on this nerve can cause this tissue to thicken. Mortons Neuroma can be caused by wearing high heeled shoes that constrict the toes. Also, having flat feet can cause the metatarsals to fall, which creates pressure on this nerve. Other causes can be irritation of the nerve or injury, which all can cause the thickening of the tissue. What Leads to Metatarsalgia? Another foot condition that is characterized by pain in this are is known as metatarsalgia. This problem often happens to women who wear high heels, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. A weakened foot structure can cause the bones in the foot to drop. When we wear shoes that do not provide enough support and cushioning we place excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and we experience pain. Also, people that suffer from over-pronation can experience metatarsalgia in the ball of their feet. Over-pronation is a condition in which the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to a painful arch. Diagnosis and Treatment for Mortons Neuroma Proper diagnosis is the key to determining the correct treatment for this condition. A podiatrist will tend to examine the foot by pushing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pushing into the space between the third and fourth toes. The doctor can simply feel the neuroma, in most cases. Doctors can also try to elicit Mulder’s sign, a clicking noise, by pushing on the area of pain. If the doctor cannot verify a neuroma, he or she can employ other tools such as an x-ray to rule out the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows doctors to clearly diagnose a neuroma. Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can consist of anything, from resting the foot to surgery. In many cases the doctor will try the most conservative treatments first. Conservative treatments include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying arch supports to improve arch support. Orthotic shoe inserts also assist in distributing your weight more evenly over the entire foot, relieving the pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases the combination of these conservative treatments does provide relief from the pain that you may be experiencing. In severe cases, where these options do not work, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to reduce the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only realistic approach. Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you are suffering from intense foot pain, it is recommended to have a physician examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause. |
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