Foot Conditions

10 Signs You May Have Morton’s Neuroma

Nothing can ruin your day faster than foot pain. Much like the building of a house, our feet are the foundation of our body since we move and walk upright on our feet every day. If our feet hurt, we hurt!! Any pain in your foot can result in limited mobility and a cranky attitude, and Morton’s neuroma is no different. This affliction affects the ball of your foot (mainly between the 3rd and 4th toe but can appear in any part of the foot) and can be quite painful. It can feel like a lump in the ball of the foot. Needless to say, this is not optimal for everyday mobility!! We here at HPFY can give you 10 signs that you may have Morton’s neuroma.

Morton’s Neuroma…What?

Okay, you are experiencing foot pain that can be debilitating at times. So what is it? If you feel like there is a small stone under your foot, you may be experiencing Morton’s neuroma. Approximately 30% of Americans can be affected by this disorder and I bet you have never heard of it!! More than 200,000 cases of Morton’s neuroma are reported each year. It is often characterized by a stinging pain when you lift onto the balls of your feet or a burning sensation between your toes as you walk. Doesn’t sound appealing, does it!? It does sound like a painful foot condition that you want to treat early so you can avoid surgery. Morton’s neuroma can sometimes feel like a small stone is in your shoe, or you’re standing on a fold in your sock and has been linked to high heels or tight shoes. Basically, Morton’s Neuroma is a thickening of the nerve tissue leading to your toes. Ouch!!

Morton’s Neuroma Symptoms

Your feet hurt, so what is the cause? There can be a plethora of reasons why they hurt. It could be you just have been standing too long, or you are suffering from plantar fasciitis, but Morton’s Neuroma can be a culprit.

10 Signs You May Have Morton’s Neuroma

• A small rock or soft fold sensation in your foot
• Burning sensation under your foot and between your toes
• Pain or swelling in the area that worsens over time
• Tingling/numbness in your foot
• Pain while walking
• Cramping in the toes
• Irritation that is more pronounced while wearing high heels or shoes with narrow toes
• Pain in the balls of your feet when you lift to your toes
• The desire to change activity level due to pain
• Spreading of toes near painful area

Causes & Treatments

Morton’s neuroma, unfortunately, has no known cure, so the only course of action is managing the symptoms. Often, corticosteroid injections or even surgery may be required. It is best not to ignore the pain in your foot that lingers longer than a few days, even if you have changed your footwear to something more comfortable or have modified activities to reduce stress on your foot/feet. This disorder can last several weeks or months and is more common in females but affects those mainly aged 35-50.

Morton’s neuroma seems to occur when there is:

• Irritation to nerves in the foot leading to your toes
• Pressure
• Nerve injury

Fortunately (or unfortunately), there seem to be some common risk factors that can lead to the onset of Morton’s neuroma. These can be:

1. High heels:

Ill-fitting or high-heeled shoes can place extra pressure on your toes and the balls of your feet.

2. Sports:

High-impact activities such as running can subject your feet to repetitive trauma. Also, sports that feature tight shoes, such as rock climbing or skiing, can put pressure on your feet.

3. Foot deformities:

Bunions, hammer toes, or high arches/flat feet can contribute to a higher risk of Morton’s neuroma.

This disorder has a misleading name since a neuroma is technically a benign tumor, but with this disorder, there is no tumor, just a thickening of the nerve due to irritation or inflammation. Anyone who has experienced pain or a bruise on the bottom of their feet or feels like there is a stone in their shoes they can attest to how this can negatively affect their everyday life. The symptoms of Morton’s neuroma are internal, which makes diagnosis by an orthopedic specialist necessary. This disorder is something you need to “nip in the bud” to avoid surgery in the future.

Products That Can Help With Morton's Neuroma

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics, and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our reviewed content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.