Morton’s Neuroma

Morton’s Neuroma

What is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma, also called interdigital neuroma, plantar neuroma or Morton’s metatarsalgia, is a painful condition affecting the midfoot area. It is a degeneration of the plantar digital nerve accompanied by fibrosis or thickening around the nerve. It is usually located between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal, although sometimes it can also occur between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal.

Causes

Although the origin of this pathology is not clear, different aspects have been related to this problem:

• Decreased dorsal flexión.
• Deformities of the feet such as bunions.
• Use of heels and narrow shoes.
• Increased pressure on the sole of the foot as a result of physical activity or standing work.

Symptoms

• Pain that worsens with walking, standing, or wearing narrow shoes.
• Sudden “electric” type pain.
• Foot cramps.
• Cushioning or tingling of the foot.

Diagnosis.

A correct anamnesis, visualization of the area and possible foot deformities will be necessary. Tests will be performed to test the inflammation of the nerve and as a complement, imaging tests such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging may be requested.

Treatment of Morton’s neuroma

The objectives for the treatment must be directed to reduce the mechanical overload on the foot, correcting the plantar biomechanics. Also to reduce the inflammation produced and to make the injured structures more flexible. Therefore, the techniques to be evaluated for a Morton’s neuroma would be:

• Manual Therapy
• Massage therapy
• Radiofrequency
• Shock waves
• Load readjustment
• Dry needling
• Functional training

Occasionally, you will benefit from the use of a customized insole to reduce mechanical load. In very severe cases and where conservative treatment is not effective, surgery is indicated.

MORTON’S NEUROMA. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The healing of an injury or physical pathology is the responsibility of our body, in it there are some automatic mechanisms that are activated when we lose the normal physical or organic balance. These mechanisms are complex and depend largely on metabolism (biochemical, hormonal and neuronal processes). If these mechanisms work at 100%, we will be protected from a large number of impacts that our body may suffer at different levels (physical, emotional, biochemical and energetic) but if these mechanisms are diminished in their function, the ability of recovery and regeneration of our cells will be compromised, and may block the healing processes to an illness or injury temporarily or permanently. This will be very important to take into account when treating any injury or pathology, otherwise the patient can perform multiple physical treatments on an injury without obtaining results.


The planning of this type of therapy is always personalized, giving priority in the early stages of treatment to reduce pain, inflammation and improve the mechanical and metabolic factors that have caused the injury.


It will depend on each case, if the professional or sporting gesture has not intervened in the appearance of the injury, there will be no reason to suspend it, but if not it will be necessary to graduate the efforts.


It will depend on each case, the most common is to perform one to two sessions per week.


It depends on each case, but normally with the use of state-of-the-art therapies such as those applied in Corporis the improvement is felt from the first session. Between 3 and 7 sessions may be necessary for complete recovery.

This post is also available in: Spanish