Do you have tingling, burning or numbness in your forefoot and toes?
Does it feel like you have a stone or marble in your foot?
You may have a neuroma….
What is a morton’s (intermetatarsal) neuroma?
- A mortons neuroma is a thickening of nerve between the metatarsal bones in the foot. The nerve becomes irritated and overloaded. There can often be associated bursitis in the area (inflammation of the fluid filled sacs that protect joints).
- Commonly occur in females and between the 3rd and 4th toes but can occur between any toes. We are increasingly finding a lot of male golfers experiencing neuromas, presenting in clinic.
What causes a neuroma?
- There are many causes of neuromas but it is essentially an overload of the tissue structures within the foot. The following things can lead to a neuroma and often it is a combination of factors –
- Tight footwear or high heeled shoes
- Poor foot alignment and function including flat feet, high arches and bunions
- Poor foot strength and/or mobility
- Trauma
- Walking barefoot on hard surfaces
- Excessive use of thongs or unsupportive footwear
What can I do to treat a neuroma?
- Treatment is varied depending on the cause and is best discussed post assessment with your podiatrist but can include –
- Foot mobilisation
- Dry needling/trigger point therapy/soft tissue release
- Low level laser therapy
- Shockwave Therapy
- Footwear changes
- Metatarsal domes/padding to offload
- Functional foot orthotics
- Strengthening and/or stretching exercises
- Toe separators
- If the above methods are not working successfully enough then the following may be considered –
- Injection therapy including cortisone, alcohol or radiofrequency ablation
- Surgical Excision