Is the Pain in the Ball of Your Foot Caused by Morton’s Neuroma?
Burning pain, tingling, or numbness at the base of your toes. Pain spreading from the ball of the foot to the tips of your toes. When you remove your shoes or rub your feet, the discomfort disappears - only to return later.
If this experience sounds familiar, you may be suffering from Morton’s Neuroma.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s Neuroma causes pain in the ball of your foot, usually in the area between your third and fourth toes. It occurs when the tissue around the nerve leading to the toes gets irritated or compressed, causing the tissue to thicken. This can lead to the following symptoms in the damaged nerve area:
Pain on the ball of the foot
Pain between the toes
Tingling or numbness between the toes
The sensation of something (such as a pebble or rock) inside the ball of the foot
These symptoms usually start gradually, appearing only during aggravating activities (like prolonged periods of standing). The symptoms then progressively worsen and persist for several days as the tissues around the nerve thicken.
Morton’s Neuroma is usually seen in:
High-heeled and other narrow-toed shoe wearers
People with foot deformities (bunions, flatfeet, or hammertoes)
Runners
Court sport athletes
Athletes whose sports require tight shoes (skiers and dancers)
Women
After diagnosing the issue, Dr. Elton and his team will first determine the cause and severity of the neuroma. Treatment options vary according to the patient’s lifestyle and the stage of the neuroma’s development.
Treating Morton’s Neuroma
Once you develop Morton’s Neuroma, it will not go away. However, the symptoms themselves can be resolved. Dr. Elton will typically begin treatment with less invasive therapies, such as:
Changes to your footwear
Weight loss
Shoe inserts
Foot padding
Anti-inflammatory medication
If caught early enough, these therapies can eliminate the pain and discomfort caused by Morton’s Neuroma. However, with more advanced stages, Dr. Elton may recommend:
Injections: Injecting steroids into the affected nerve can decrease pain and reduce inflammation. Diluted alcohol can also be injected into the neuroma, destroying it over the course of multiple treatments.
Radio Frequency Ablation: Alternating current is used to generate heat and cut the neuroma.
Freezing: A small incision is made in the foot and a needle is inserted to freeze the neuroma. This procedure is known as cryogenic neuroablation.
Decompression Surgery: This procedure relieves pressure on the nerve by cutting the nearby ligament.
Neurectomy: This surgical procedure cuts out the growth and part of the impacted nerve.
More than 80% of cases improve with nonsurgical treatment methods. Although surgeries are usually successful, they are only recommended as a last resort.
Get Your Foot Pain Diagnosed and Treated Early
It’s crucial to diagnose pain in the ball of your foot early. The earlier Morton’s Neuroma is caught, the more effective nonsurgical treatments will be.
If you are experiencing pain in the ball of your foot, contact Dr. Elton today! He and his team will work with you to diagnose the issue and provide you with the personalized treatment that gets you back on your feet.