4 Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma is a foot condition that is described as the feeling of a pebble in your shoe. The actual cause of this sensation is a growth that occurs on or around the nerves in the ball area of your foot. Stress and pressure from wearing poorly fitting shoes like high heels are a frequent cause of a neuroma (and many other foot and ankle problems). The numbness and tingling are usually alleviated when pressure and stress shift away from affected nerves, however in extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.

4 treatments for Morton’s neuroma include:

1)   Wear properly fitted shoes with custom orthotic inserts. Wearing correctly fitted shoes with a wide toe box will also allow for optimal placement of orthotic inserts because it shifts pressure away from the affected nerve so that it can heal.

2)   Change to lower stress activities. Temporarily stopping sports and other strenuous activities that aggravate the ball of the foot will give the nerves time to heal. Switching to low impact sport such as swimming and focusing on upper body workouts will also help.

3)   Rest and ice the foot. Apply ice or a cold pack to the ball area of the foot for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs can be taken to decrease pain and inflammation.

4)   Corticosteroid treatment. Steroid injections often provide immediate relief, however, there may be side effects that you should discuss with your foot doctor.

If you suspect that you have Morton’s neuroma, be sure to make an appointment with your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists, in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County AZ, have unparalleled experience in treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. Our team of doctors: Christopher M. Funk, D.P.M., FACFAS, Bradley A. Whitaker, D.P.M., FACFAS, and Peter C. Merrill, D.P.M., AACFAS, is dedicated to serving you with state-of-the-art, cutting edge medical technologies. These include PinPointe FootLaser, custom-fitted orthotics, and Radial Pulse Therapy (RPT) for chronic foot, heel, or ankle pain. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.