Morton's Neuroma

Neuroma is a term used to describe the enlargement or thickening of the tissue that surrounds the nerve. Morton's neuroma is entrapment & irritation of the interdigital nerve which passes between 3rd & 4th metatarsal bones. Hence it is also termed as intermetatarsal neuroma.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS:

• Pain on weight bearing - a shooting pain affecting the contiguous halves of two toes. Sometimes there may be a dull pain rather than a sharp one. 
• Burning
• Numbness
• Paresthesia - tingling, pricking, or numbness with no apparent long-term physical effect. Commonly known as pins-and-needles.
• A sensation that something is inside the ball of the foot

Causes:

• High-heeled shoes - especially those over 2 inches (5cm), or a pointed or tight toe box which
  
  squash the toes together. This is probably why the condition is much more common in females than in males.
• High-arched foot.
• Flat feet.
• A bunion.
• Hammer toe.
• Some high-impact sporting activities.
• Injuries - an injury or other type of trauma to the foot may lead to a neuroma.

Treatment:

• Resting the foot.
• Using an ice pack on the affected area.
• Changing footwear- wearing shoe according to foot size like wide shoes & or no heeled shoes.
  
• Orthotic correction (Arch support)-  The arch support of the foot, removing pressure from the nerve. The doctor may recommend a custom-made, individually designed shoe-insert, molded to fit the contours of the patient's foot. 
• Modifying activities - avoiding activities which put repetitive pressure on the neuroma until the condition improves.
• Body weight management - if the patient is obese the doctor may advise him/her to lose weight. A significant number of obese patients with foot problems, such as flat feet, who successfully lose weight experience considerable improvement of symptoms.