A sharp, burning pain in the ball of one’s foot, usually between the third and fourth toes, is how patients describe Morton’s Neuroma. This benign yet painful neurologic foot condition involves thickening of the tissues surrounding the nerve in the foot, leading to tingling and, over time, painful sensations.
As the tissue thickens and begins to compress the nerve, a patient may feel sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot as if standing on a marble or pebble. The affected toes (third and fourth) may feel squeezed and cramped, with sensations of stinging, burning, or numbness in the affected toes.
Like most foot conditions, patients often ignore these symptoms, which can result in walking difficulties, abnormal gait, bursitis, and even an increased risk of arthritis.
Morton’s Neuroma: Who is at higher risk?
Activities that put higher and repetitive stress on the forefoot, like running and jumping, increase the risk of Morton’s Neuroma due to excessive stress. Thus, athletes and sportspersons are at a higher risk of developing this condition.
Excessive use of high heels or shoes with narrow toe boxes that cramp the toes together contributes to Morton’s Neuroma. As a result, women have a higher risk of developing this condition.
People with flat feet, high arches, or bunions also suffer a higher risk of Morton’s Neuroma. Individuals who suffer foot trauma, such as a sprain, fracture, or dislocation, which damages the nerve tissue in the foot, can also potentially develop Morton’s Neuroma.
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment by Moonot Healthcare Foundation:
Rest, wider footwear, shoe inserts, ice therapy, and over-the-counter pain medications are conservative treatment options for Morton’s Neuroma. However, in some cases, the patient may suffer from persistent pain and burning in the toes, which conservative treatments fail to rectify. This is when surgery is considered.
As most patients often overlook and aim to manage with conservative measures, they tend to delay treatment until the pain intensifies and surgery becomes mandatory. However, many patients may not be able to afford surgery without facing a severe financial burden that can disrupt their livelihood.
Moonot Healthcare Foundation comes forward to support these cases. We work with individuals in challenging circumstances and enable advanced treatments to help them eliminate this condition. Led by Dr. Pradeep Moonot, a leading foot and ankle surgeon in India, our team of foot and ankle experts provides tailored treatment for Morton’s Neuroma to help patients get back on their healthy legs as quickly as possible.
