Morton's neuroma is a painful condition that affects the metatarsal bone , most often between the third and fourth toes. It often feels like having a rock in your shoe or a crease in your sock.

Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves in the toes. It causes a sharp, burning pain on the sole of the foot. You may experience itching , burning, or numbness in the affected toes.

High-heeled or tight shoes are linked to the development of Morton's neuroma . People find relief by switching to shoes with lower heels and a wider toe box. Corticosteroid injections or surgery are sometimes necessary.

Symptoms of Morton's neuroma

In general, patients with Morton's neuroma don't experience any external signs of the condition, such as a lump. Instead, you may experience the following symptoms:

• A feeling like having a stone in your shoe
• A recurring pain in the ball of the foot that may extend to the toes
• Tingling or numbness in the toes

In addition to these symptoms, you may find that taking off your shoes and rubbing your feet often helps relieve the pain.

Risk factors

Factors that appear to contribute to Morton's neuroma include:

• High heels . Wearing high heels, tight shoes, or shoes that fit poorly can put extra pressure on your toes and the sole of your foot.
• Certain sports . Participating in high-impact athletic activities like jogging or running can subject your feet to repetitive stress injuries. Sports that require tight-fitting shoes, such as snow skiing or mountain climbing, can put stress on your toes.
• “Foot deformities.” People with bunions , hammertoes, hollow feet , or flat feet are at higher risk of developing Morton’s neuroma .

Treatment for Morton's neuroma

It is the treating physician who is responsible for determining the most advisable treatment for each case of Morton's neuroma. The doctor will likely recommend trying conservative approaches first.

Therapy

The most recommended therapy for patients with “ Morlon neuroma” is to wear shoes with enough space in the “metatarsophalangeal region” of the foot and at the ball of the foot. “ THERAPEUTIC AND BIOMECHANICAL BOCCIO FOOTWEAR ” , shoes manufactured according to the individual and particular needs of each patient, made with 100% natural materials, comfortable and specially designed for this type of situations, is one of the most effective therapies. “Orthopedic insoles” and “foot pads” , such as “metatarsal pads” , fit inside the shoe and help reduce pressure on the nerve.

Surgeries and other procedures

If conservative treatments have not helped, your doctor may suggest:

• “Injections.” Some patients have found relief with “steroid injections” in the area where they are experiencing pain.
• “Decompression surgery.” Sometimes, surgeons can relieve pressure on the nerve by cutting nearby structures, such as the ligaments that connect the bones in the front of the foot.
• “Nerve stripping.” Surgical removal of the lump may be necessary if other treatments have not improved the patient's condition. Although surgery is usually successful, the procedure can result in “permanent numbness in the toes.”