What is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma, also called interstitial neuroma, is the thickening of the tissue in your finger. This tissue is located next to a nerve. The pressure on the nerve irritates it and causes pain.

You may walk and feel pain near the ball of your foot, as if there is some pebble in your shoe. The pain usually spreads between your third and fourth fingers (This counts the big finger as the first.)

Women are more likely than men to get Morton neuroma.

Why; You can probably guess: High-heeled shoes are the main culprits because they put pressure on the feet. The treatment can be as simple as switching to shoes with lower heels.

Symptoms of Morton neuroma

Morton’s neuroma has no visible sign, like a piece. So you have to follow what you feel. The first sign may be a tingling sensation between your legs. After this:

• The tingling may become stronger over time.
• You may feel pain around your ball or foot or the base of your feet.
• Your foot may feel like there is gravel in your shoe or a sock is full. Your toes may be burning or numb.
• Discomfort can get worse when you walk or wear shoes that put pressure on your feet.
• The pain tends to be relieved at night.

Causes of Morton neuroma

Doctors do not know exactly what causes Morton. It can come from the nerve in the finger that melts, stretches or injures. But many things can make it more likely to happen. Includes:

Shoes: High heels can put pressure on your toes or balls. Shoes that are tight or do not fit properly can also do this.

Sports: High-impact activities, such as running or tennis, can cause stress in the legs. Snow skiing and climbing, which include tight shoes, can put pressure on your toes.

Your own feet: Flat feet, excessively high bows, toes (“hammer toes”), or other abnormalities may make you more likely to develop Morton’s neuroma.

When to call a doctor

If the pain lasts for more than a few days, do not ignore it.
Switch to shoes that are easier on your feet. Do not exercise so hard for a while and do not do anything (like swimming) that does not hit your feet.

After that, if your feet still hurt, see your doctor. Finding the problem quickly can make it easier to deal with.

Morton’s neuroma diagnosis

In order to diagnose if you have Morton’s neuroma, your doctor may only need to ask you about your symptoms and examine your foot. But you may need further testing to make sure.

To diagnose you, your doctor can use:

History of symptoms. Your doctor will ask about the pain you have when it started, the types of shoes you wear, as well as your work and other Physical examination. Your doctor will probably press your foot first to check for a tender spot. If you feel a click between your toes, this may also be a sign of Morton neuroma.
X-ray. An x-ray can help your doctor rule out other possible problems, such as a fracture.
Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to create images and is a good way to detect Morton’s neuroma and other soft tissue conditions.
Motion test range. Your doctor will move your foot and toes around to see if the cause of your pain may be arthritis or inflammation of the joints.
Magnetic resonance. Magnetic resonance imaging uses radio waves and a magnetic field to examine your soft tissues. Doctors usually do not use MRI scans to diagnose Morton neuroma because it is an expensive test.