Mortons Neuroma

Mortons neuroma is a benign inflammation of the nerves that carry feeling from the toes. It can effect any of the toes in the foot. However, it most often effects the nerves that run between the third and fourth or second and third toes.

Causes

Mortons Neuroma is an inflammation caused by a buildup of fibrous tissue on the outer coating of nerves running to the toes. This fibrous buildup is a reaction to the irritation resulting from nearby bones and ligaments rubbing against the nerves. This irritation can be caused by:
  • Wearing shoes that are too tight
  • Wearing shoes that place the foot in an awkward position (e.g., high heels)
  • A foot that is mechanically unstable
  • Repetitive trauma to the foot (such as from sports activities like tennis, basketball, and running)
  • Trauma to the foot caused by an injury (such as a sprain or fracture)
It is unusual for more than one Mortons Neuroma to occur on one foot at the same time. It is rare for Mortons Neuroma to occur on both feet at the same time.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
  • Sex: Female
  • Wearing narrow and/or high-heeled shoes
  • Obesity
  • Injuries to the foot
  • Activities that cause repetitive trauma to the foot (such as sports-related activities)

Symptoms

Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma include the following sensations, usually between the third and fourth or (less often) second and third toes:
  • Burning, pain, tingling, and numbness often shooting into the toes
  • Discomfort that is worse while walking
  • Feeling of a lump between the toes
  • Symptoms are usually temporarily relieved when a person:
    • Takes off their shoes
    • Flexes their toes
    • Rubs their feet

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Initial diagnosis of Mortons Neuroma is based on your description of the type and location of pain and discomfort in the foot. The diagnosis will be confirmed by:
  • Physical exam of the foot, including:
    • Checking for mechanical abnormalities in the foot
    • Squeezing the side of the foot, doing so will usually cause pain when Morton's neuroma is present
  • Examination of your shoes to:
    • Check for excess wear in parts of the shoe
    • Check to see whether the shoes are too tight
  • If the diagnosis is still in doubt, an x-ray may be done to rule out another cause of the pain (e.g., fracture)
  • An ultrasound may be used to visualize the neuroma

Treatment

Treatments may include:
Measures to Reduce Nerve Irritation
Modifications include:
  • Switching to low-heeled, wide-toed shoes with good arch support
  • Wearing padding in the shoes and/or between the toes
  • Wearing shoe inserts to correct a mechanical abnormality of the foot
Injection of Medication
Injecting the foot with corticosteroids mixed with a local anesthetic in order to reduce pain. Relief is only temporary, however, if the mechanical irritation is not also corrected.
Surgery
Surgery to remove the neuroma may be recommended if more conservative treatment does not solve the problem. While surgery usually relieves or completely removes the symptoms, it often leaves a permanent numb feeling at the site of the neuroma.

Prevention

Steps to help prevent Mortons Neuroma include:
  • Avoid wearing tight and/or high-heeled shoes
  • If you are obese, lose weight
  • If you play sports, wear roomy, properly fitting athletic footwear