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This extremely troublesome condition of the feet was first described by Filippo Civinini in 1835. But the disease is named after William Thomas Morton, who studied the disease in detail but failed to get to the bottom of the causes.
The disease has had many names – Morton’s neuroblastoma, Morton’s metatarsalgia, Morton’s neuralgia, intermetatarsal neuroma, interdigital neuroma, plantar neuroma. Most often, however, the term Morton’s neuroma is used.
Morton’s neuroma is more common in women than in men. People suffering from it compare the disease to a situation where there is a pebble in the shoe and it makes itself felt with every step.
The frequency of Morton’s metatarsalgia is unknown, but it has been assumed that among people who experience foot pain, about 9 percent have neuroma.
Some experts believe that true Morton’s neuroma is very rare. More often the causes of pain are degenerative changes or inflammation. Similar to the symptoms of neuroblastoma, the ganglion, which is a lump filled with jelly-like contents, which presses on the nerve, also produces.
Morton’s metatarsalgia – why does it arise?
Morton’s neuroma is a type of tumor that forms along the plantar nerve. It may be related to congenital defects in the structure of the foot, e.g. flat feet, too high arch of the foot, shortening of the first metatarsal bone or those with fused toes. Any foot injuries also contribute to the disease. Another reason is wearing ill-fitting shoes, both too small and too big. In tight shoes, we instinctively curl our toes, and hold too large toes so that they do not fall off the foot. Often women who wear shoes with very high heels and narrow toes on a daily basis are also common. Runners who practice their discipline repeatedly and repeatedly irritate the heads of the metatarsal bones are particularly vulnerable to its formation. Neuroblastoma may also arise when we unevenly load the limbs due to an injury or surgery (e.g. of a foot, knee or hip joint).
Morton’s neuroma usually develops between the third and fourth toes. When the nerves of the foot are constantly compressed, the process of their thickening begins. Inflammation develops which leads to the formation of a tumor.
Morton’s metatarsalgia – symptoms of the disease
The symptom of Morton’s neuroma is pain in the foot when you walk or put pressure on the area between the third to the fourth toe. The pain is sometimes severe and makes it very difficult to move around. Burning and tingling sensations are also common. As the neuroma grows in size, so does inflammation. The pain is then constant and radiates from the metatarsus to the tips of the toes. There are also painful cramps in the forefoot.
Metatarsalgia Mortona
We already mentioned that the pain of pressing the foot between the third and fourth toes usually indicates the presence of Morton’s neuroma. However, to be sure of the diagnosis, the doctor will refer the patient to an ultrasound or MRI of the foot to rule out other conditions. Some authors believe that an x-ray of the foot is more beneficial and gives a picture closer to the truth. It allows to distinguish Morton’s neuroma from other common foot diseases, e.g. lipoma, chondoma, ischemic and diabetic changes, and finally changes characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.
What can you do?
Relief is provided by anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a doctor, giving up high heels and narrow toes, and wearing insoles that restore the natural position of the bones to the foot. Comfortable shoes with a wide toe and a low heel, on a flexible and properly contoured sole will give relief while walking, but will not eliminate the ailment itself.
It is worth using metatarsal gel pads that improve the comfort of walking.
Physiotherapy treatments, especially ultrasounds, Laser and Terapuls, will also bring significant relief. Steroid injections are the most effective.
In extreme cases, when the pain worsens and other treatments for neuroblastoma fail, surgery may be necessary. It consists in decompressing the neuroma, i.e. removing the corresponding plantar nerve of the fingers. removal of the corresponding common plantar nerve of the fingers. Sometimes a scar is formed after the procedure, which puts pressure on the adjacent nerves. In such situations, neuroma is referred to as regrowth.
People suffering from neuroma should not forget about foot massage. After taking off your shoes or walking for a long time, it is a good idea to bend your fingers with your hand and massage the middle part of the foot. It brings relief.