Neuroma

The ball of my foot hurts; is it Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is a painful inflammation that typically affects the interdigital nerves at the front of your foot. It causes one or more of these nerves to become swollen and thick, making it difficult to stand and walk.

Neuromas cause pain in the ball of the foot and between the toes. Many neuroma patients also say it feels like a pebble or marble is stuck in their shoe.

What are the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma symptoms include:

• Pain between your toes while standing or walking
• Pain that’s worse when you stand on your toes or wear high heels
• Swelling between your toes
• Tingling and numbness in your foot

As the nerve tumor grows, the pain gets worse, causing a sharp burning and stinging sensation.

What causes a neuroma to form?

Neuromas form when the nerves in your forefoot become irritated. This can be caused by the shoes you wear or by putting pressure on the balls of your feet during work or exercise. Underlying medical conditions also increase your risk. For example, people with bunions, high arches, and flat feet are more likely to develop neuromas.

How does a podiatrist diagnose a neuroma?

Your Family Foot & Ankle Center provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including where the pain occurs, what it feels like, and if it’s worse when you put pressure on the ball of your foot.

They examine your forefoot and toes, gently pressing on the ball of your foot to identify sensitive spots. They have you stand and walk to assess your gait. Your provider completes a foot ultrasound –– this imaging procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to provide real-time images of the neuroma.

They make personalized treatment recommendations after pinpointing where and how big the neuroma is.

How is a neuroma treated?

The Family Foot & Ankle Center team treats neuromas using a conservative, minimally invasive approach. They could suggest:

• Wearing shoes with wide toe boxes
• Custom-fitted orthotics (prescription shoe inserts)
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
• Icing your foot
• Having corticosteroid injections

You might need surgery if your symptoms continue or get worse after these treatments. During neuroma surgery, your provider uses cryotherapy to destroy nerve cells or remove part of the affected nerve.

Call Family Foot & Ankle Center today to make an appointment or book your visit online.