What is Mortons Neuroma

Information  •  Sun 26 Sep 2021

This article will tell you about Morton's neuroma symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this painful condition.

Mortons neuroma is a common painful condition of the forefoot that results from compression and irritation of the nerve that commonly supplies​ the 3rd and 4th toes. Mortons neuroma commonly causes nerve pain that radiates into the 3rd and 4th toes. The pain is typically worse when wearing tight-fitting shoes or with increased activity.

Typically, there's no outward sign of this condition. Instead, you may experience the following symptoms:
-A feeling as if you're standing on a pebble in your shoe
-A burning pain in the ball of your foot that may radiate into your toes
-Tingling or numbness in your toes

We will examine the area between your toes to feel for masses or tender spots during an exam.

There are different imaging tests available to confirm the diagnosis, some more useful than others when it comes down to diagnosing Morton's neuroma:
Ultrasound - Uses sound waves to produce high-definition images which can visualise the inflammation and thicken nerve
X-rays - Can rule out conditions such as stress fracture or arthritis.
MRI- This is often not required, It is also the most expensive imaging modality to diagnose Mortons neuroma

Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. We most often recommend trying conservative approaches first. These may include wearing wider shoes, using special padding and orthotics. If these don't work or have severe pain with walking, an injection of anti-inflammatory medication is often used before considering surgery to remove the compressed and damaged nerve.

Morton's neuroma is a painful condition caused by inflammation and irritation of the nerve in your foot. Acuted diagnosis and treatment is essential before the problem becomes chronic. If you are experiencing any pain or numbness, please contact our office for an appointment today!