Thursday 10 September 2015

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.




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