#6 Podiatrist Tips For Managing Morton’s Neuroma Pain

Do you ever feel like you have a pebble in your shoe? This persistent, irritating pain in the ball of your foot could be Morton’s neuroma, a condition that occurs due to trauma or ongoing pressure and overuse. At first, the feeling of pain on your footpad may be mild, but this condition can be debilitating if left untreated as the pain under the ball of your foot gets worse and worse.

Let’s learn more about managing Morton’s neuroma and how shoes and other orthotic treatments can help this foot condition.

What is Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is a mass made up of thickened tissue that sits on the nerve that passes under the metatarsals. Since the metatarsals connect our toe bones to the forefoot, this area gets put under a lot of pressure. A podiatrist or foot specialist usually diagnoses Morton’s neuroma between the 3rd and 4th toes since this is typically an area where excess pressure tends to center.

Morton’s neuroma is much more common in women than men, primarily because some women prefer tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes. When you wear high heels, the elevated heel puts pressure on the nerve, or the metatarsals, which can cause Morton’s neuroma.

In addition to feeling the painful sensation of stepping on a pebble, you may feel an aching or burning sensation in the area, or it may become numb with pain.

The Best Foot Neuroma Treatments

If you suspect that you have Morton’s neuroma, visit a doctor so they can rule out any other factors like arthritis or stress fractures. Once you have a diagnosis, they can help you develop a treatment plan to help minimize your pain and comfortably get you back on your feet.

At-Home Treatments

Some of the most popular and effective treatments for Morton’s neuroma are practical and straightforward actions and habit changes you can do at home.

Icing your feet and taking anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin will help minimize swelling and alleviate your pain. You can also do Morton’s neuroma exercises like stretching the toes and metatarsals to relieve pain.

Also, avoid exercises like running, which puts pressure on the balls of the feet. Try swimming or cycling instead.

Morton’s Neuroma Shoes

You will probably find that your foot pain improves by leaps and bounds if you commit to wearing well-fitting shoes that offer your feet proper padding. Your shoes should have a wide toe box with well-cushioned soles that don’t put excessive pressure on the feet.

Advanced Treatments

If you’ve made several changes to help improve your Morton’s neuroma and you’re still experiencing pain, your doctor may want to take more aggressive measures.

Steroid injections can help manage pain, but your doctor may recommend surgery to eliminate the issue. They will either cut the ligaments that put pressure on the neuroma or conduct a neurectomy to remove the thickened nerve altogether.

The Benefits of a Custom Orthotic for Morton’s Neuroma Pain

If you’re looking for a way to manage ongoing Morton’s neuroma pain and stop it from reoccurring in the future, a custom orthotic may help. These custom insoles are made to your feet’ exact measurements and offer gentle padding and cushioning exactly where you need it most.

At Orthotics Direct, we make custom orthotics that we measure precisely to your foot and ship right to your door. Plus, if you purchase a shoe and orthotic package, we’ll cut and carefully shape your insoles so they fit securely in your new pair of shoes. Once they arrive at your door, your new shoes are ready to wear.