The painful syndrome known as Morton's neuroma, sometimes known as Morton's
metatarsalgia, is characterized by foot discomfort that makes it difficult or even impossible to
walk normally.
The foot pain is neurological in origin.
Morton's metatarsalgia is characterized by the rapid onset of pain in the forefoot, which typically
occurs during activity. The discomfort, which has been compared to a knife cut or an electric
shock, is typically so severe that must stop right away, and person needs to take off their shoes,
and massage the front of their foot.
It's crucial to understand that Morton's neuroma affects women 10 times more frequently than it
does men. It is believed that wearing inappropriate footwear—shoes that are unpleasant, have a
high heel, or are excessively thin in the front of the foot—actively precedes the development of
Morton's neuroma.
A tiny nerve that runs between the third and fourth toes and under the ligament that connects the
two bones of the foot is impacted by Morton's neuroma. This change relates to its thickening,
and although this condition was initially believed to be a tumor and then an inflammatory
process, these theories were later rejected. Simply said, thickening happens in response to
abrasion, trauma, or intense pressure.
Causes
Morton's metatarsalgia is most consistently related to wearing shoes, specifically because of
wearing heels that are excessively high and because of wearing shoes that are too small in the
front. However, motions that cause excessive toe extension, or so-called hyperextension of the
fingers, are also significant risk factors for Morton's metatarsalgia. These movements restrict the
metatarsal tunnels, which in turn lowers the nerve's space and puts more pressure on it.
This causes the nerve to grow, making it thicker and more vulnerable to subsequent injury,
eventually leading to a persistent thickening known as a neuroma.
Playing some sports that put pressure on the front of the foot, such as jogging, or indulging in
sports that call for wearing tight shoes are some other activities that can contribute to the
development of Morton's neuroma, for example ballet.
Symptoms
Pain and burning on the front and bottom of the foot, or on the "roots" of the toes, are the main
symptoms of this illness. Physical exercise, especially walking and running, and maybe even
wearing shoes, can make this pain worse. It's also possible for the toes to become numb. and the
forefoot, as well as other uncomfortable toe sensations. Wearing shoes with high heels and/or
small shoes will undoubtedly make the pain worse.
Self-help
A change in shoes can be beneficial; for example, someone with Morton's metatarsalgia
symptoms needs to wear broader shoes without elevating the heels. Aside from avoiding
activities that make pain appear, massaging the afflicted area with ice for ten minutes many times
a day is also advised.
Anti-inflammatory medications, giving up high heels and shoes with narrow toes, and using
insoles that put the bones of the foot back in their proper positions can all help. Walking will be
made simpler in cozy footwear with a broad toe and a low heel on a flexible and well-designed
sole, but the disease will still exist.