Morton’s neuroma is a nerve growth that is a common foot condition, often described as feeling like you have a pebble in your shoe underneath the ball of your foot. It is usually a result of injury and pressure pushing on the nerves that connect to your toes between the third and fourth metatarsal bones.
Women who like to wear high heeled shoes are more susceptible to developing Morton’s neuroma and many other foot and ankle problems due to the extreme stress and pressure that high heeled shoes put on the feet. Activities like sports and running that impart a large amount of stress and pressure to the feet are also risk factors.
Treating Morton’s neuroma includes the following methods:
Wear properly-fitted shoes with custom orthotic inserts—Always have your athletic shoes and other footwear properly fitted. Have a computerized gait analysis done at your foot doctor’s office to determine if you have pronation problems. Wearing shoes with a wider toe box will allow your toes room to move. A well-fitting shoe will provide the space needed for custom molded orthotic inserts that can direct pressure away from the painful interdigital nerve.
Switch activities—You may have to temporarily stop the sporting activity or behavior that caused the injury to give the nerves time to heal. Try switching to cycling or swimming or any other activity that reduces stress on the feet.
Decrease inflammation—Place a cold pack on the area for fifteen minutes several times a day. Ibuprofen can help to decrease pain and swelling.
Corticosteroids—These injections often can provide pain relief, but there are side effects that you should review with your podiatrist.
If you suspect that you may have a foot neuroma, consult with our board-certified podiatrists at Foot and Ankle Center of Fort Lee, LLC. The center offers convenient locations in Fort Lee NJ, Ringwood NJ, Flushing Queens NY, Woodhaven NY, Brooklyn NY, and Forest Hills NY. Contact us at (201) 363-9844and schedule an appointment today!
