Morton's Neuroma

So, a couple of weeks ago, there was a blog that talked about Morton’s Neuromas. Since then, there was a comment where a reader asked for more information about neuromas and how to prevent them. So, here is some additional information, hope this helps.

Neuromas are a result of inflammation of a nerve due to irritation of that nerve as a result of a force rubbing up against the nerve causing it to become inflamed and larger. These neuromas most commonly occur in between the third and fourth toes. This occurs as a result of the small compartment size in this area. This small area leads to even greater pressure in the area. If you wear tight shoes, high  heels or you are overweight, you even further increase the pressure in the area. Otherwise, the increased pressure will make it more likely that the nerve can become inflamed.

So, how do you treat neuromas. Well, there are several different approaches. You can use padding to decrease the pressure in the area and allow the bones to spread apart to accommodate the neuroma. You can also use steroid injections to decrease the inflammation and pain. You can also wear wider shoes to allow the foot to spread. If none of these methods work though, surgery is always an option. The surgical approach involves removing the part of the nerve that is swollen. By doing this, you relieve the pressure in the area, thus removing the pain.

So, the pearls of wisdom to take home are that tight shoes are not good for your feet because they don’t allow your feet to spread. Throughout the day, your feet will become wider as a result of the pressure your body puts on them. You should also limit the usage of your high heel wear. High heels force your feet into an unnatural position and can lead to hammertoes, bunions, neuromas and other conditions. Losing weight is a great medical change that you can make because not only will it reduce pressure on your feet, but it will also decrease the likelihood of many other medical conditions.

If you or someone you know is having pain in between their toes or it feels like there is a pebble in your shoe, our office would be more than happy to help you schedule an appointment. Our office can be contacted at (978) 794-8406. Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to help you determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment plan for you.  Dr. Wachtel serves the Billerica, Bradford, Dracut and Lawrence, Massachusetts area.