Treatment of Morton’s Neuroma

Treatment consists of professional diagnosis by a physician who will study the history of the problem and examine the foot. During such examination, which also involves palpitation, a painful click is produced simulating the original symptoms.

Foot subjected to all kinds of trauma produces varied symptoms. So, physicians will seek out further evidence to rule out other problems, like calluses, fractures, or joint disorders. X-Rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Ultrasound are not often sufficiently accurate. But they may help to reveal the presence of other problems and to eliminate them.

You can experience quick relief by simple measures like removing your shoes, massaging and resting your foot, and physical therapy. Another general treatment of neuroma is desensitization of the affected nerve by using an anesthetic nerve patch or by administering injections of corticoseteroid with local anesthetic at the affected area. It gives complete relief and may be repeated a couple of times, but any overuse should be avoided lest it may cause side effects.

Pressure or irritation is the stimulus causing forefoot compression. Control of biomechanical factors by appropriate shoe modification effectively arrests compressive forces leading to near-normal neural function. Low-heeled shoes with extra width, roomy toe box, and a soft sole provide required relief from this painful condition by discharging pressure on the affected nerve. Women suffer more due to their much-preferred high-heeled or narrow shoes, which tend to pull the toes while straining the interdigital nerves and producing ligamentsary tension.

Custom metatarsal pads or other shoe inserts help to lift and spread the metatarsal bones, which considerably remove the pressure exerted on the nerve by checking overextension of toes and nerve strain. A well-arched footbed with good metatarsal arch support can supplement the comfort offered by wide and deep shoes. If simple treatment measures fail and the symptoms show no signs of abating, need for surgical intervention rises. Surgery involving removal of the affected nerve tissue by transecting the nerve is called neurectomy. This may cause recurrence of neuroma.

Patients usually recover in a short period and are prescribed a special shoe to allow gradual adaptation of their feet to weight bearing. Surgery provides good results without fear of any disability, but causes permanent numbness. Such sensory loss of the area is rarely problematic and may differ with patients' conditions.

Complications:

When left unattended for a long time, nerves become scarred ultimately leading to localized sensory loss.

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