How to Treat Morton's Neuroma?

March 31st | Dr. Hobeychi

Morton's Neuroma usually develops on the third or fourth toe of the foot, affecting people whose lifestyles involve wearing tight shoes, high heels, or participating in repetitive sports activities, like running. The compression from certain footwear can irritate the nerve, causing it to thicken and swell. Pain usually occurs in waves, going from a burning sensation to a sudden, general numbness.

Although neuromas are benign growths, most patients will consult a doctor to alleviate symptoms. After conservative treatment or surgery, they can quickly return to their usual activities.

If you feel like you have a pinched nerve or a marble in your shoe, you may have this condition. To learn more about the different treatments available for relieving Morton's Neuroma symptoms, explore this article.

How to Treat Morton's Neuroma Naturally at Home?

You can naturally alleviate pain caused by nerve compression by modifying certain habits and performing simple techniques.

How to Massage a Morton's Neuroma?

Massaging and applying ice to painful foot areas can provide relief.

How to Choose Footwear with Morton’s Neuroma?

Athletes and active people are at higher risk of developing foot problems like bunions or neuromas due to tight or flexible shoes. You can avoid these issues by wearing proper footwear for sports and activities.

Wide-toe shoes

Shoes with a narrow toe area can compress the toes together, putting pressure on the metatarsal bones. Over time, this can cause nerves to swell. Wearing shoes with a wider toe area can help relieve constant pressure on your toes.

Rigid cradle sole shoes

Flexible sole shoes are a common cause of foot neuromas. A flexible or thin-soled shoe contributes to nerve irritation under the metatarsal heads with each walking motion, accelerating neuroma sclerosis.

Shoes with better arch support

Very high or flat shoes can also put pressure on the forefoot. Prevent your condition from worsening by choosing shoes that properly support your arches. Those who often wear high heels may need to choose shoes with flatter soles to help alleviate symptoms.

Shoes with padded insoles

Opt for shoes with padded insoles to cushion the impact on the balls of your feet. You can also wear adhesive pads for neuromas that are designed to be placed under the forefoot. This is particularly useful for relieving pain as they serve as cushions for your feet, lightening the burden they undergo daily.

Orthopedic shoes

Pain can be relieved by using orthopedic insoles. You can buy them at pharmacies, but ideally, you can have them custom-made to get support tailored to your needs. Ask your podiatrist where to get them.

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How to Treat Morton's Neuroma Without Surgery?

If you think you are suffering from Morton's neuroma, you should quickly consult a foot and ankle expert to know the most suitable treatment options for your situation. Surgery is only considered when the patient does not respond to non-surgical treatment.

What Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Medications Can Relieve Morton's Neuroma?

Taking painkillers, in addition to changing the type of shoes you wear, can help relieve inflammation. If you already have Morton's neuroma symptoms, taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can relieve pain by reducing swelling.

Are Cortisone Injections and Foot Infiltrations Effective for Treating Morton's Neuroma?

If the pain is persistent, corticosteroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation. These injections can relieve irritated nerves without causing permanent changes to the structure of the foot.

Sclerosing injections, on the other hand, can reduce the size of neuromas and relieve pain. The number of injections depends on the size and severity of the condition, but 4 to 7 injections are usually sufficient to reduce the neuroma enough, allowing you to return to your activities.

When is it necessary to operate on Morton's neuroma?

Surgical intervention to correct Morton's neuroma is only necessary in 40% of cases. When Morton's neuroma is left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage and cause permanent tingling and numbness in the foot. Surgery is considered when conservative treatments such as wearing appropriate shoes, orthotics, and injections fail to relieve the patient.

Minimally invasive surgery is then offered to promote faster recovery. The surgeon decompresses the affected area and removes the neuroma. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, and the patient can walk immediately after.

Failure of Morton's Neuroma Surgery - Can Morton's Neuroma Return After Surgery?

Like any surgery, Morton's Neuroma surgery carries risks and limitations. While it is not possible to guarantee the success of an intervention, the result depends greatly on the surgeon's expertise and the procedure used.

While nearly 85% of patients who undergo surgery to treat Morton's neuroma have experienced rapid relief, some still report discomfort. Very similar to those caused by Morton's neuroma, those discomforts can be caused by nerve degradation, scar tissue, neuroma of the stump, other post-surgical complications, or as a result of postoperative protocols that have not been properly followed by the patient or the medical team.

When Morton's neuroma surgery fails to relieve pain, another intervention may be necessary.

If you have questions about how to manage post-surgical pain, don't hesitate to contact us. Dr. Hobeychi, a podiatrist with over 25 years of experience in foot surgery, has performed more than 15,000 procedures.

Who treats Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's Neuroma is a painful condition that can make your daily activities more difficult to accomplish, but a simple change of shoes can work wonders to completely relieve the pain. If you experience persistent pain in the ball of your foot that radiates to your toes, it may be Morton's neuroma. If the symptoms persist, even after taking pain relievers and switching to well-fitted shoes, it is best to consult a podiatrist to explore other options.

Are you looking for an experienced podiatrist for Morton's neuroma? Dr. Hobeychi, podiatrist, prioritizes minimally invasive surgery and only the safest intervention techniques to allow his patients to be back on their feet and return to their normal life as quickly as possible. A doctor, teacher, and a reference in foot surgery in Quebec, he is the founder of the Clinique et centre de Chirurgie Podiatrique. His clinic, accredited with honor mention by Accreditation Canada, offers all of its patients the highest standards of health, safety, and non-surgical and surgical medical care.

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