While many conditions ending in that ever familiar suffix “-oma” are indeed associated with cancer, you need not worry if your doctor tells you the pain in your foot is caused by a Morton’s Neuroma.

A neuroma, by definition, is an abnormal swelling or thickening of a nerve. Morton’s neuroma (aka interdigital neuroma) is a condition involving an enlarged or inflamed portion of a nerve in the foot, specifically located in the third interdigital space. As the nerves of the foot travel toward the spaces between the toes, they split into two terminating branches, one to each adjacent side of a toe; thus each nerve provides sensation to two different toes. A Morton’s neuroma typically occurs just before these nerves divide into their terminal branches. The nerve lies between the fat padding below it and a strong ligament above it. If there is enough enlargement of this nerve, as you walk or place weight on the foot, the nerve becomes compressed by the ligament and the surrounding structures, causing severe discomfort.

Morton’s neuromas are four times more common in females than males, and more often than not occur in the later years of life. If you have this condition, you will typically experience localized pain, along with any number of the following symptoms: a burning sensation that may spread beyond the site of the neuroma, numbness in the involved toes, swelling, electric shock sensations, or the feeling of a lump in your shoe. A common way to relieve the discomfort is by loosening the laces of your shoes or removing your shoes completely. You may also try gently massaging the affected area to lessen the pain. Your symptoms will usually worsen with a number of activities, all revolving around placing weight on the affected foot.

There are many options to treat Morton’s neuromas. Most doctors will start by obtaining an x-ray of the foot to rule out other causes of pain such as a fracture, and they may even order an MRI to discover the approximate size and exact location of the neuroma. Depending on these imaging studies,  your podiatrist will decide whether conservative treatment will be enough, or if it will require a surgical procedure. Conservative treatments include a change in footwear and taping or padding to offload the pressure around the neuroma. Shoes with a firmer sole will decrease the amount of stretching of the foot and wider shoes will allow for less crowding of your toes, both resulting in less aggravation of the neuroma. Another option is to use an injection of numbing medication mixed with cortisone to temporarily relieve your pain. In severe cases, when conservative treatments do not yield the desired results, surgery may be necessary. Your podiatrist may release some surrounding structures to relieve the pressure around the neuroma, or they may remove the neuroma altogether. Another approach that has proven to be very effective is to use a series of injections of a diluted alcohol to kill the nerve at the site of the neuroma. You should be aware that while these different treatments will relieve the pain, they may also result in loss of sensation between the third and fourth toes (the area supplied by the nerve).

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a Morton’s neuroma, you should talk with your podiatrist soon to find out what can be done to relieve your pain. You shouldn’t have to endure such discomfort with every step you take!

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