Are you getting a sharp pain, tingling or numbness in the ball of your foot? Or does it feel like something is inside of the ball of your foot?
It could be a Morton’s neuroma, also known as a neuroma, or inter-metatarsal neuroma, which is a thickening or swelling of nerve tissue that occurs between the toes in between the long metatarsal bones in the foot.
The most common area to get a neuroma is in between the third and fourth web space – which can be seen in the image below.
There are a few different causes for neuromas.
Wearing narrow footwear or high heels, foot deformities such as bunions, hammer toes, high arched feet and flat feet all have a higher risk for developing a neuroma due to the shape of the foot and increased pressure on the nerves.
Different sports and activities can place a risk of developing a neuroma such as running or tennis due to the repetitive high impact and stress placed on the foot.
A podiatrist will examine the foot that is causing issues and do specific tests to determine if it is a neuroma. In some cases, further imaging including an ultrasound or an x-ray may be required to rule out other conditions or to see the damage caused.
To begin with, your podiatrist will discuss conservative treatment options, if these treatment options do not help, a surgical referral may be required.
If you are in pain and you think you may have a neuroma, book in to see one of our experienced podiatrists at Podiatry HQ. They will assess your feet and discuss a treatment plan best suited for you.
Call us today on 8645 9800 or
Reference:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mortons-neuroma/home/ovc-20202652
https://www.foothealthfacts.org/conditions/morton-s-neuroma-(intermetatarsal-neuroma)
