Do you feel a pain in the bottom of your foot like a stone is stuck in it? This could be Morton's Neuroma!

When you walk, especially in tight shoes, do you feel discomfort and pain on the soles of your feet, as if you are stepping on a stone or a small lump? Do you sometimes feel a strange sensation as if a sock is crushed in one place? If this pain is getting worse and worse, and if your toes feel a little tingly, you may have a condition called 'Morton's Neuroma'. Don't be scared by the name. It's not that serious. Let's talk about everything simply and clearly.

What is Morton's Neuroma?

Simply put, this is a swelling or thickening of the nerve that runs between your toes. The interdigital nerves run between the metatarsal bones of our feet. When these nerves are subjected to continuous pressure, trauma, or some kind of compression, the nerve tissue begins to thicken and swell.

Think of it like a water pipe that gets stepped on repeatedly, causing it to flatten and swell. This condition often occurs in the nerve between your third and fourth toes (the two toes closest to your little toe).

This swollen nerve can cause severe pain when you stand or walk, putting pressure on it.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma usually develop gradually over time. Initially, there may be mild pain, which may subside with taking off your shoes and massaging your foot. However, as the nerve becomes more swollen, symptoms become more apparent.

Let's look at the main symptoms like this.

Why does something like this happen? What are the reasons?

As we mentioned earlier, the main cause of this is prolonged pressure or compression on the nerves between your toes. There are several factors that increase this risk.

1. Inappropriate footwear

This is the main and most common reason .

• High heels: When you wear high heels, your entire body weight is directed towards the front of your foot, which puts excessive pressure on the nerves.
• Narrow, tight shoes: When you wear shoes that are tight and close together, the bones between the toes become pressed together, compressing the nerves that run through them.

2. Some games and activities

This condition can also be caused by activities that put continuous pressure and trauma on the sole of the foot.

• Running: The soles of the feet, especially those who run long distances, are constantly exposed to shock.
• Sports like tennis and badminton: In these types of sports, you often have to apply pressure to the ground with the front part of the sole.
• Dancing: Dancing , especially ballet, puts a lot of pressure on the soles of the feet.

3. Other foot position problems

If there are any problems with the shape or position of your foot, this can also increase the pressure on the nerves.

• Flat feet: When the arch of the foot is absent and the sole is flat, the way you walk can change and pressure can be placed on the nerves.
• High arch feet: This can also cause instability in the foot and increase pressure.
• Bunions: This condition causes swelling of the big toe joint, which can cause the toes to become stuck together.
• Hammertoes: A condition where the toes bend in the middle. This also causes pressure imbalance.

How do you find this, Doctor?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms. He will ask you many things, such as how long the pain has been present, when it gets worse, what kind of shoes are uncomfortable to wear, and whether there is any numbness.

Then, the doctor will examine your foot carefully. He or she will press on the sole of your foot and the area between your toes, checking for any specific pain or "clicking" sensation. This physical exam can often diagnose the condition.

Tests that may be needed

• X-ray: An X-ray cannot show the swelling of the nerve. However, an X-ray may be ordered to rule out other causes of foot pain, such as a stress fracture or arthritis.
• Ultrasound: This scan can look at soft tissues, such as nerves. It can clearly show swollen and thickened nerves.
• MRI scan: In some cases, if the diagnosis is unclear, an MRI scan can provide a clearer picture.

What are the treatments for this?

The good news is that most people don't need to go to surgery. This pain can be managed with simple treatments and lifestyle changes. The main goal of treatment is to reduce pressure on the nerve and control swelling.

Non-surgical treatments

1. Changing shoes: This is the most important and first step .

• Wear shoes with a wide toe box.
• Stop wearing high heels completely or limit them to special occasions.
• When choosing shoes, choose shoes that have good cushioning on the inside and are comfortable for the soles.

2. Shoe pads and orthotics:

• There are special pads (metatarsal pads) that can slightly increase the space between the bones of the foot and reduce pressure on the nerve.
• Sometimes your doctor will recommend custom-made orthotics, which are specially designed to fit your foot. These provide good support and distribute pressure evenly.

3. Painkillers:

• To reduce pain and swelling, you can take medications such as paracetamol or NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for a short period of time, as directed by your doctor. However, do not take these medications continuously for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor .

4. Ice placement:

• When there is pain and swelling, applying ice to the area for 15-20 minutes can provide good relief. Do not apply the ice directly to the skin, wrap it in a thin cloth.

5. Cortisone shots:

• If the above measures do not relieve the pain, your doctor may decide to administer a corticosteroid injection to the same area to quickly reduce swelling and pain.

Surgery

A doctor will only consider surgery if the pain has not subsided despite all other treatments and if the pain is so severe that you cannot perform your daily activities.

• Neurectomy: This involves cutting and removing the damaged or swollen part of the nerve. This is the most common surgical procedure.
• Other methods: Sometimes there are modern treatments that use extreme cold (cryogenic neuroablation) or electrical waves (radiofrequency ablation) to stop the nerve from sending pain signals.

What is the best time to see a doctor?

As with any illness, it is important to start treatment early, as left untreated, it can cause permanent nerve damage and chronic pain.