The feet help us perform activities like jumping, running, walking, and standing. This is facilitated by foot anatomy consisting of flexible muscles, joints, bones, and soft tissues. Conditions like Morton’s neuroma affect your foot, which can make them hurt and impact its functionality. Morton’s neuroma is a benign nerve tissue growth mostly between the third and fourth toes. This results in concerns such as burning sensation, pain, numbness, and tingling. People suffering from New York neuroma can find relief by taking off their shoes, rubbing the affected areas, or after they stop walking. The great news is that Morton’s neuromas are treatable using conservative methods if detected early or surgically if the damage is extensive. Below are the common Morton’s neuroma signs and symptoms.
1. Pain
Morton’s neuroma is one of the conditions that cause foot pain. When an injury entirely or partially disrupts the nerves, the area between your toes tends to be painful or cause a burning sensation if pressure is applied, tapped, or by walking. Wearing narrow, tight, high-heeled shoes also provokes this condition by pinching the nerves and pressing the toe bones.
2. Tingling and numbness
Though experiencing pain and numbness -simultaneously may seem unrealistic, it is among Morton’s neuroma signs. Although the area between your toes might be hurting, it is possible to encounter tingling on the ball of your foot and numbness. Morton’s neurons are benign but trap the nerves and cause pain and pressure. If left unchecked, they can cause permanent nerve damage.
3. Inflammation
Morton’s neuroma causes the tissues around the nerves leading your toes to thicken. This results in a sharp, stabbing, burning pain in the ball of your foot and feels like a lump stuck under your foot or pebble. The burning sensation can lead to temporary or permanent nerve damage, depending on the extent and severity of the injury. In case of permanent nerve damage, you may experience loss of sensation in the affected area. It is essential to seek an accurate diagnosis before engaging in any treatment plan.
4. Swelling
Strings of ligaments (tissues) connect the bones in the ball of your foot, and nerves run underneath and between them. When one or more nerves become pinched, it causes swelling and pain due to the thickening of tissues that encircle the nerves. This thickened mass leads to swelling between your toes.
5. Marble-in-the-shoe feeling
Morton’s neuroma causes the toe tissues next to your nerves to thicken. Pressure applied against the nerve, like when walking, can cause pain and a sensation of a small pebble inside your shoes. This bump often leads to discomfort and pain, and treatment varies depending on the diagnosis.
6. V-shaped toe splaying
When this occurs on either side of the toes or feet, it could be a sign that you have a large Morton’s neuroma. It is often referred to as Sullivan’s sign.
If Morton’s neuroma is left untreated, your routine can be affected. Call or visit Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC & Associates today to learn more about Morton’s neuroma signs and symptoms and the available treatment options.