If you sometimes feel that you are "walking on a marble," and you have persistent pain in the ball of your foot, you may have a condition called Morton's neuroma. A neuroma is a benign tumor of a nerve. Morton's neuroma is not actually a tumor, but a thickening of the tissue that surrounds the digital nerve leading to the toes.
Definition
Morton's neuroma occurs as the nerve passes under the ligament connecting the toe bones (metatarsals) in the forefoot.
Morton's neuroma most frequently develops between the third and fourth toes, usually in response to irritation, trauma or excessive pressure.
The incidence of Morton's neuroma is 8 to 10 times greater in women than in men.
Symptoms
- Normally, there are no outward signs, such as a lump, because this is not really a tumor.
- Burning pain in the ball of the foot that may radiate into the toes. The pain generally intensifies with activity or wearing shoes. Night pain is rare.
- There may also be numbness in the toes, or an unpleasant feeling in the toes.
Risk factors
Factors that appear to contribute to Morton's neuroma include:
High heels:Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill fitting can place extra pressure on your toes and the ball of your foot.
Certain sports:
Participating in high-impact athletic activities such as jogging or running may subject your feet to repetitive trauma. Sports that feature tight shoes, such as snow skiing or rock climbing, can put pressure on your toes.
Foot deformities:
People who have bunions, hammertoes, high arches or flatfeet are at higher risk of developing Morton's neuroma.
Diagnosis
During the examination, your physician will feel for a palpable mass or a "click" between the bones. He or she will put pressure on the spaces between the toe bones to try to replicate the pain and look for calluses or evidence of stress fractures in the bones that might be the cause of the pain.
Range of motion tests will rule out arthritis or joint inflammations.
X-rays may be required to rule out a stress fracture or
arthritis of the joints that join the toes to the foot.
What
is the standard examination in a doctor’s office to confirm a Morton’s
neuroma? - See more at:
http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.W2UWjOQ3.dpuf
What is the standard examination in a doctor’s office to confirm a Morton’s neuroma?
Web Space Compression Tenderness Test – Doctors push their thumb between the 3rd and 4th toes (metatarsals). If there is pain there they suspect a Morton’s neuroma.
Foot Squeeze Test – Doctors squeeze the foot from the sides and if it hurts between the bones, they suspect a Morton’s neuroma. (8)
Gauthers Test - involves squeezing the metatarsals together and moving them up and down for 30 seconds, which leads to pain.
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.W2UWjOQ3.dpuf
Treatment 
Morton’s Neuroma Tests
Foot Squeeze Test – Doctors squeeze the foot from the sides and if it hurts between the bones, they suspect a Morton’s neuroma. (8)
Gauthers Test - involves squeezing the metatarsals together and moving them up and down for 30 seconds, which leads to pain.
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.W2UWjOQ3.dpuf
Initial therapies are nonsurgical and relatively simple. They can involve one or more of the following treatments:
Changes in footwear:
Avoid high heels or tight shoes, and wear wider shoes with lower heels and a soft sole. This enables the bones to spread out and may reduce pressure on the nerve, giving it time to heal.
Orthoses:
Custom shoe inserts and pads also help relieve irritation by lifting and separating the bones, reducing the pressure on the nerve.
Injection:
One or more injections of a corticosteroid medication can reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerve, bringing some relief.
Several studies have shown that a combination of roomier, more comfortable shoes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, custom foot orthoses and cortisone injections provide relief in over 80 percent of people with Morton's Neuroma.
If conservative treatment does not relieve your symptoms, your orthopaedic surgeon may discuss surgical treatment options with you. Surgery can resect a small portion of the nerve or release the tissue around the nerve, and generally involves a short recovery period.
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Is your foot hurting?
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Is your foot hurting?
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Is your foot hurting?
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Do you have tingling in the feet or burning feet?
Do you have foot aches and do you have toe numbness?
The “Morton’s Metatarsalgia ICD-9 355.6” (pain between the toes) was first observed in 1835 by Filippo Civinini (1805-1844) (1)
Morton’s neuroma is a common cause of metatarsal swelling and pain – on the bottom of the foot that radiates from between the third and fourth metatarsals, which may cause extreme pain and disability.
Morton’s neuroma, also known as Mortons toe, is one of the most common disorders encountered in the foot (2) and a common cause of metatarsalgia or pain between the third and fourth toes. (3)
- See more at: http://teamdoctorsblog.com/2012/12/mortons-neuroma-self-help-tips-treatment-and-prevention-from-the-barefoot-running-doctor-at-team-doctors/#sthash.GzjrCxn8.dpuf
Is your foot hurting?
