Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma is an injury to the nerve between the toes, commonly the nerve between the third and fourth toe. Although the exact cause is unknown, this injury is felt when the third and fourth metatarsal bones compress the nerve and thicken it.
Causes
Although the exact cause is unknown, basically anything that compresses the nerve has the potential to create an issue. Some of the factors which may lead to Morton’s Neuroma include:
- Wearing narrow footwear or high heels
- High foot arches
- Forefoot issues such as bunions or hammer toes which add extra pressure in that area
As seen below, there is a high risk of developing Morton’s Neuroma among people that wear high heels or narrow footwear. It is traditionally more common in women than men.
Symptoms
Symptoms are indicators of a problem and for Morton’s Neuroma, some of them may include:
- A painful (sharp or shooting) numbness in the ball of your foot
- A pain that worsens when wearing narrow shoes
- A tingling sensation or painful numbness in the toes
This painful condition may worsen over time unless treatment is pursued.
Treatment
Non-surgical treatment methods for Morton’s Neuroma include orthotics, the proper footwear, painkillers, nerve-blocking medicines and anti-inflammatory medicines. Custom orthotics and the proper footwear are highly effective for the following reasons:
- Custom orthotics work by supporting the body’s frame through the foot. This is done by realigning the ankle and lower legs in order to correct the motion of the foot. In the case of Morton’s Neuroma, Rite Gait’s handcrafted custom orthotics will be designed to separate the metatarsal bones and relieve pressure on the nerve. They will include a metatarsal pad which is designed to lift and support the forefoot to minimize friction and increase space between the bones in order to help you become pain-free.
- The proper footwear is important in the treatment of Morton’s Neuroma. Specifically, the footwear must not compress the toes, have a supportive sole and stabilize the metatarsal bones to minimize friction.
At Rite Gait, our pedorthists will handcraft your custom orthotics and help you find the perfect footwear in order to treat Morton’s Neuroma. Additionally, if we don’t already carry the perfect footwear to suit your needs, we can make modifications using the onsite lab.
MILTON LOCATION
- 335 Main St E, Milton, ON L9T 1P5
- (905) 876-1095
- ritegait@gmail.com
- WEEKDAYS: 10 AM - 6 PM
SATURDAYS: 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
SUNDAYS: Closed