Tingling Or Numbness in Your Feet (Morton's Neuroma) - How to Manage This Condition
Posted: Thursday, July 09, 2009
by GARY WEBB
WEBB'S PODIATRY
Morton's Neuroma was first noted as a condition in 1876 by a Dr Morton. It is sometimes referred to a Interdigital Neuroma or Morton's Metatarsalgia. Morton's Neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves that lead to your toes. It is not strictly a neuroma as its name suggests, this is because a neuroma in the true sense of the word is a benign tumour, and Morton's Neuroma is not a tumour. It occurs most commonly to the nerve between the third and fourth metatarsal bones, this will affect your third and fourth toes, although it is also known to afflict the nerve between the second and third metatarsal bones, this will affect your second and third toes.
There are usually little or no outward indications of this condition, but typical symptoms are:
Tingling or numbness in your affected toes. A burning pain that starts in the ball of your foot before spreading to the affected toes. A feeling of walking on stones, or there being something in the ball of your foot.
Symptoms vary from case to case, some sufferers experience regular and persistent pain, whilst others may have occasional attacks over a period of time.
Causes
The precise cause is not known, but anything that compresses or irritates the nerve is thought to contribute to its onset. The condition is more likely if you:
Suffer from bunions, hammertoes or flat feet. Wear shoes that are high or tapered. Have inflammation in the joints around the nerve area, as this can irritate your nerve. Regularly participate in activities that cause repetitive trauma to the ball of your foot, such as running. Have suffered a foot injury.
Self treatment
Avoid high impact exercise. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - To reduce inflammation and pain caused by the condition. Avoid wearing high heels, or shoes that are tight or tapered. Foot pads and arch supports - These can reduce pressure on the affected nerve. Stretching calf muscles - This is thought to ease foot stress.
Medical treatments
If more conservative treatments prove to be ineffective, your doctor may recommend:
Steroid injections into the affected area, to reduce inflammation and pain. Sclerosant (alcohol and local anaesthetic) injections into the affected area. This treatment is new, but very promising. Surgery - This involves either removing the affected nerve or creating space around the nerve.
Copyright (c) Gary Webb MChS June 2009
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