Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment in Eastern Tennessee
Our Specialty
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
A Morton’s neuroma is a growth of a nerve that is not cancerous. It is also called an interdigital neuroma. Morton’s neuroma is not a growth, but rather a thickening of the tissue around the nerve that goes to the toes.
This swelling can make the front of the foot hurt or feel stiff, which can make it hard to participate in some activities.
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, usually between your third and fourth toes. If you have Morton’s neuroma, it may feel like you are standing on a rock in your shoe or a fold in your sock.
Subspecialties
SYMPTOMS OF MORTON’S NEUROMA
Most of the time, you can’t see a lump or other sign of this problem. Instead, you might have these signs and symptoms:
- The thought that there is a pebble in your shoe
- A burning pain in the ball of your foot that may spread to your toes
- Toes that tingle or feel numb
Along with these signs, you may also find that taking off your shoe and rubbing your foot helps to relieve the pain.
WHAT CAUSES MORTON’S NEUROMA?
The exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is not known, but current research says it is likely the result of confinement, like compression or squeezing, of the common nerves that lead to your toes. When the nerve is under pressure, it can cause swelling and abnormal tissue to grow in and around the nerve.
MORTON’S NEUROMA TREATMENT
Initial treatment for this condition is generally nonsurgical, which includes but is not limited to:
- Changes in shoes – Avoid tight, narrow shoes and high heels. Instead, choose shoes with a wide toe box, a low heel, and a soft bottom. This lets the bones spread out and may relieve pressure on the nerve, giving it time to heal
- Orthotics – Metatarsal pads or bars and custom shoe inserts can be added to your shoes. These may make the pain go away by changing where the weight is on the feet and dividing the bones, which takes the pressure off the neuroma
- Injections – With one or more treatments of a steroid, the swelling and inflammation can be reduced, which can help. Nerve ablation is another option, which is done by injecting a drug that stops the nerve from sending pain messages permanently
If your symptoms don’t get better or come back after non-surgical care, your doctor may suggest foot surgery. This procedure may include:
- Removing the part of the nerve that is damaged
- Loosen the tissue around the nerve to release pressure
Most of the time, surgery is thought to be the best way to treat Morton’s neuroma.
MORTON’S NEUROMA CARE IN KNOXVILLE, TN
Contact us at Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and make an appointment with one of our foot and ankle physicians to find a solution to your condition today. Call us at (865)690-4861 to make an appointment at any of our many convenient locations.
Our Foot And Ankle Surgeons
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