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A patient came in for foot pain and complained of a feeling of something inside the ball of her foot. She noted that the symptoms began gradually and progressively worsened, keeping her from standing at work. She worked as a hotel manager, and her heels would often aggravate the pain in her foot. After pursuing treatment with us, we were able to establish a care plan that got her back to her usual routine, and nothing can stand in her way.
A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of the body, creating nerve damage. Morton’s neuroma is the most common neuroma in the foot. It occurs at the base of the third and fourth toes.
If you have Morton’s neuroma, you will likely experience the following symptoms:
The symptoms begin gradually and occur only occasionally at first. This generally happens when wearing narrow‐toed shoes or performing certain aggravating activities. The symptoms may go away temporarily by massaging the foot or by avoiding activities that brought on the pain
However, over time, the symptoms progressively worsen and may persist for several days or weeks at a time. The symptoms become more intense as the neuroma grows in size and the nerve damage becomes more permanent.
One risk factor is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box, or high‐heeled shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box. People with foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, or flatfeet are at high risk for developing a neuroma. So are those who participate in activities that require a repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or racquet sports.
It’s best to consult your doctor in the early stages of development, as early diagnosis greatly lessens the need for invasive treatments and potential surgery. Don’t hesitate to contact your podiatrist and schedule an appointment to discuss any recurring pain in your feet.
