A neuroma is a painful condition of forefoot. It is also known as a “pinched nerve” or a nerve tumour or a Morton’s neuroma. It is a benign growth of nerve tissue frequently found in webspace of toe and mainly between the third and fourth toes. It brings on pain, a burning sensation, tingling, or numbness between the toes and in the ball of the foot.

High-heeled shoes have been linked to the development of Morton’s neuroma. Many people experience relief by switching to lower heeled shoes with wider toe boxes. Sometimes corticosteroid injections or surgery may be necessary.

Symptoms (what you feel)

It is generally under diagnosed condition by general orthopaedic surgeon, it is feel like

  • if you are standing on a pebble in shoe
  • Tingling or numbness in your toes
  • A burning pain in the ball of your foot

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What are causes of Morton’s neuroma

There is many contributing factor to develop neuroma in food like high heel shoe, foot deformities and many high impact sports activities like jogging running. Neuroma is often associated with flat foot, high arches, bunions or hammer toes

Signs (what your doctor feel)

-Your doctor will press your foot side to side and your pain increase

-your doctor can also feel a mass or a tender point or clicking between your foot bones

Investigations

X-ray generally to rule out other pathology

Ultrasound is very good investigation to diagnose neuroma

MRI is expensive and there is many false positive report

Treatment

Depend on severity of your symptoms and conservative treatment will try first. In conservative approach there are various type of arch support and foot pads that help reduce pressure on nerve so decrease pain.Other conservative treatment include stretching exercise, massage, exercise to strengthen your foot.

Surgical or other options

Corticosteroid injections and removal of nerve may be necessary it other treatments fail to provide relief. Generally surgery is successful but procedure can result in permanent numbness in that toes

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