Do you keep stopping to pull up your sock or shake out your shoe, only to find nothing there? This feeling of a permanent lump under the ball of your foot is rarely a problem with your footwear. Instead, it’s the sign of a Morton’s neuroma.
Dr. David Biss at Concord Podiatry specializes in diagnosing and treating this often painful condition. Here’s what he tells patients about this painful condition.
A neuroma is not a tumor, but rather a benign swelling of the nerve that most commonly occurs between the third and fourth toes. It usually causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot. Your toes may also feel numb or tingle. The pain typically worsens when you wear tight shoes or when you run or walk on hard pavement.
Motion’s neuroma is common, affecting 1 in 3 people at some point in their lives.
Footwear is the primary culprit. High heels or shoes with a narrow toe box squeeze the foot bones together, pinching the nerve in between. This is why women are significantly more likely to develop neuromas than men. Physical activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as jogging or racquet sports, can also trigger the inflammation.
Existing foot deformities like bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet can put you at a higher risk. Early intervention is key to avoiding surgery. If the nerve remains compressed for too long, the thickening becomes permanent, and the pain can become debilitating. Understanding the underlying mechanics of your foot helps us determine why the nerve is being pinched in the first place.
Most neuromas can be managed without surgery. Initial treatment often involves changing your footwear to shoes with wider toe boxes and lower heels. This simple change allows the bones to spread out, taking pressure off the nerve. Dr. Biss might also recommend custom orthotics or metatarsal pads to lift and separate the bones. These devices act as a buffer, giving the nerve the space it needs to heal.
For more persistent cases, Dr. Biss may use corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation or alcohol sclerosing injections to numb the nerve.
If conservative measures do not provide relief, a minor surgical procedure to remove the thickened tissue may be necessary.
If you are experiencing tingling or pain in the ball of your foot, call or text Concord Podiatry today.
