Suffering from Morton's Neuroma? Therapy can help!
Morton’s neuroma is a swollen or thickened nerve in the ball of your foot. When your toes are squeezed together too often and for too long, the nerve that runs between your toes can swell and get thicker. This swelling can make it painful when you walk on that foot. High-heeled, tight, or narrow shoes can make pain worse. Sometimes, changing to shoes that give your toes more room can help.
Morton’s neuroma can cause a very painful burning or sharp pain in your foot that feels worse when you walk. It may feel like a small lump inside the ball of your foot. It is usually between the third and fourth toes, but it can also be between other toes.
Luckily, many sufferers are able to treat this problem at home:
- Avoid wearing tight, pointy, or high-heeled shoes. Choose well-fitted shoes with plenty of room for your toes.
- Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
- Take anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce pain and swelling. These include ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) and naproxen (such as Aleve).
- Rest your feet when you can. Reduce activities that put pressure on the toes, such as racquet sports or running.
- Try massaging your foot to relax the muscles around the nerve.
If these steps do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may have you use special pads or devices that spread the toes to keep them from squeezing the nerve. Physical therapy designed to bring patients with conditions of the foot and ankle to their maximum level of physical activity and function can also help those diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma. However, in some cases, a doctor may recommend a steroid shot or surgery.