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An intermetatarsal neuroma, otherwise known as ‘Morton’s neuroma’ refers to a type of nerve entrapment or irritation. A neuroma results from a thickening of a nerve running that develops following trauma or rubbing between two metatarsal heads that live next to each other. The nerves involved supply feeling to the ball of the foot and toes.
While this condition is more commonly found in women, it can affect adults of any age. One of the main reasons for this discrepancy between genders, is that middle aged women often wear heeled shoes, which evidently results in increased pressure on metatarsal heads. A Morton’s neuroma is commonly found in the third interspace of the foot between the 3rd and 4th toes or metatarsal heads.
[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_heading type=”h2″ font_weight=”normal” font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Factors contributing to Morton’s Neuroma[/cmsmasters_heading][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]
There are several factors which increase the likelihood of susceptibility to Morton’s Neuroma.
- Chronic trauma theory: increased compression to the forefoot through activities such as wearing high heel shoes, narrow toe-boxes or tight calf muscles.
- Intermetatarsal bursitis theory: inflammation of the bursa between the metatarsal bones causes secondary thickening and increased pressure on the nerve.
- Entrapment theory: the nerve is crushed between the plantar aspect of the foot and tight intrinsic ligament or muscular structures.
- Mechanical hyper-pronation theory: excessive rolling in of the foot during walking results in hypermobility in the forefoot.
- Foot posture and natural bony alignment: those with proximity between the metatarsal bones have increased likelihood to receive greater pressure on the nerve. This condition may also be associated with the presence of bunions.
[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_heading type=”h2″ font_weight=”normal” font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Symptoms[/cmsmasters_heading][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]
Pins and needles, numbness, burning sensations, or even sudden pain on the ball of the foot; with the neuroma pain constantly radiating into one or two toes are common findings. The feeling of walking on a pebble or small stone is also often described. Characteristically, symptoms are aggravated with tight fitting footwear, when walking barefooted on hard surfaces, or after increased physical activity.
[/cmsmasters_text][cmsmasters_heading type=”h2″ font_weight=”normal” font_style=”normal” text_align=”left” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”20″ animation_delay=”0″]Treatment[/cmsmasters_heading][cmsmasters_text animation_delay=”0″]
Your Podiatrist can assess the symptoms and causes of your pain. If needed, you may be referred for medical imaging such as ultrasound to confirm your diagnosis.
Further Treatment Includes
- Changing shoes
- Padding and strapping
- Functional foot orthotics with neuroma pads/domes
- Stretching exercises and manipulations
- Acupuncture
- Cortisone injection
- Surgicalexcision of the neural thickening
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