Morton’s Neuroma
1. What is it ?
Morton’s neuroma, also known as an interdigital neuroma, is a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve leading to the toes. This often causes irritation and inflammation of the surrounding soft tissue structures leading to various levels of pain or discomfort in the forefoot. It most commonly occurs in women, and in between the 3rd and 4th digits of the foot.
2. Causes
- Foot posture/biomechanics of feet (flat feet or a high arch)
- Ill-fitting shoes i.e shoes with high heels and/or narrow toe box.
- Tight calf muscles
- Repetitive high impact activity (running/dancing/sports)
3. Signs and Symptoms
- Burning, tingling, numbness and/or pins and needles in toes
- Sharp radiating pain to toes
- Feeling like you are “walking on a pebble/stone”
4. Treatment
- Footwear modification: Finding supportive footwear that are wide and deep enough to accommodate bunions
- Orthotic therapy and offloading devices: to redistribute pressure away from the painful site.
- Physical therapy: including dry needling and low level laser therapy to reduce local inflammation
- Cortisone injection: to provide temporary pain relief
- Surgery