Morton’s Neuroma: The pebble at the bottom of your foot

Does it feel like you’ve been walking around on an uncomfortable small stone beneath your foot for some time now?  Have you been feeling pain at the forefoot that seems unusual? And that while Google tells you this pain should be located beneath the big toe joint or at one of the other toes along the ball of your foot, you’re actually feeling it up from there, through the long bones of the foot? Perhaps around your 3rd and 4th long toe bones? And maybe instead of the usual pain, redness and swelling, the pain and discomfort comes with a twinge every so often that may tingle or feel numb? If this sounds familiar then you, my friend, may have a Morton’s Neuroma.   What is a Morton’s Neuroma? A neuroma describes a thickened or inflamed nerve in a space between the toes (interdigital space). Just like rubbing and irritating a muscle, the same can happen to your nerves! It often occurs between the 3^rd and 4^th toes, though can occur in between the 2^nd and 3^rd toes , and may be a palpable round mass. The cause of a neuroma is often repetitive compression of the nerve which may occur from:

• Faulty foot biomechanics that overload and increase pressure to the area of the nerve
• Ill-fitting footwear that squeezes the forefoot such as high heels
• Trauma/Injury

  The symptoms The sensation of a neuroma is often described by our patients as the feeling of walking on a pebble. Symptoms are often experienced when weight-bearing on the feet and may include:

• A sharp or burning pain at the ball of the foot
• Numbness/tingling at the foot that can spread to the toes
• Feeling a ‘click’ when walking or moving the metatarsal bones

  What should you do? Pain can initially be alleviated by removing footwear and resting the feet. Unfortunately that won’t make the irritated nerve bundle disappear. To get you on the best course for treatment as quickly as possible, we highly recommend coming in to see your Podiatrist. At Perform Podiatry we:

• Assess the foot and neuroma (if present)
• Examine the biomechanics of your feet and legs that may have contributed to the development and progression of the neuroma
• Identify any other causes or contributing factors
• Address contributing factors to relieve current pain and minimise the risk of growth in size of the neuroma and future recurrence
• Look after you and your foot health!

If you’re worried you may have developed a neuroma or you have any aches and pains through your feet and legs that you’re sick of putting up with then give us a call! Our friendly team at Perform Podiatry will help you perform at your best and get back to feeling great!

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