Why does it feel like I am walking on pebbles? Do I have a Morton’s neuroma?

A Chesapeake Podiatrist Explains Painful Truth About Morton’s Neuromas

If you sometimes have the uncomfortable sensation of a rock stuck in your shoe or a fold in your sock but don’t find anything when you take a closer look, you may have Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is a common foot condition that results from the thickening of the tissue around the digital nerve that leads to the toes. While Morton’s neuromas are sometimes referred to as tumors, they’re not cancerous. At Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center, we regularly treat Morton’s neuromas and help provide quality care and education to you.

Signs of Morton’s Neuroma

A Morton’s neuroma develops between the third and fourth toes on the ball of your foot. However, not everyone experiences this condition the same way. There are various indicators of this condition:

Feeling like there’s a pebble in your shoe or that your sock is bunched up

Stinging, stabbing pain in the ball of the foot near the toes

Numbness or tingling in the toes or ball of the foot

Cramping toes

Radiating or burning pain in the ball of the foot or toes

Pain or swelling that gets worse over time, especially while standing, walking, or running

Sharp pain when you raise up onto the toes

Inability to continue some activities due to pain

A popping sensation when walking

Pain while wearing shoes that squeeze the toes

Typically, only one foot is affected, but some people develop more than one neuroma on the same foot.

Neuroma Risk Factors

Several things cause Morton’s neuromas. If one or more of the items below apply to you, making some lifestyle changes to reduce pain and immobility might be necessary.

Footwear

Women experience neuromas at least five times as often as men, partially because women are more inclined to wear shoes that squeeze their toes together or place pressure on the balls of their feet. High heels and shoes with pointy toe boxes are common culprits behind neuroma development.

High Impact Sports

Athletes who spend a lot of time jogging, running, or in tight footwear may experience a lot of pressure and trauma to their feet. Basketball, tennis, hockey, rugby, rock climbing, skiing, and cross-country running are all examples of high-impact sports.

Foot Deformities

Different medical conditions that alter foot shape also contribute to thickening tissue. Bunions, high arches, flat feet, hammer toes, and other problems compound pain and mobility issues, especially if you inadvertently apply pressure on the balls of your feet to avoid these complications.

Standing Continuously

If you’re on your feet all day or perform physically active work, this increases lower body force and may result in nerve and tissue damage that leads to a neuroma.

How Annapolis Foot & Ankle Podiatrists Can Help

If you suspect you have a foot neuroma, it’s important to make an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists so they can assess, diagnose, and treat your condition right away. We’ll start by:

Obtaining a medical history.
Completing a physical examination and pressing on areas to pinpoint tenderness or unusual warmth.
Utilize diagnostic equipment like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds to rule out other conditions such as stress fractures, foot deformities, or arthritis.

Treatment Options

There are several ways our skilled podiatrists can help you manage discomfort so you can get on with your life. Here are some of the ways we address treating Morton’s neuromas:

Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Ice the impacted area of the foot for 20 minutes, several times per day
Rest for a few days
Start exercises that stretch and strengthen the foot
Anesthetic or steroid shots

Approximately 80 percent of Morton’s neuroma cases can be effectively treated without the need for surgery. Because surgery carries an increased risk of complications and has a more extensive recovery time than less invasive options, the doctors at Annapolis Foot & Ankle Center and other podiatry experts always explore other available options before recommending surgery. However, should you need a surgical procedure, we’ll explain the different methods and what you can expect during recovery.

Consequences of Ignoring a Neuroma

Just because this tissue isn’t cancerous doesn’t mean you should ignore the problem. Morton’s neuromas don’t typically resolve on their own. Not treating them may result in:

Infection
Nerve damage
Chronic pain
Limping
Need for surgery that could have been avoided with more timely treatment

Tips For Preventing Morton’s Neuromas

If you’re just learning about Morton’s neuromas and want to prevent more from developing in the future, here’s what we often recommend to our patients.

Choose Proper Footwear

Always select shoes that meet the following specifications:

Heels lower than 2 inches
Wide toe box that allows you to wiggle your toes
Soles with good shock protection

To widen the tox box of shoes you already own, you might be able to stretch them—we have suggestions for this process. It’s also a good idea to consider custom orthotics or padded insoles for added shock absorption and to prevent foot deformities from creating further issues.

Weight Management

Studies indicate that carrying extra weight creates excessive wear and tear on your lower body. By some estimates, every additional pound over a healthy weight increases pressure on your feet by up to eight pounds more.

Cross Training

If you participate in a high-impact sport, consider integrating other activities into your routine so that you’re not always stressing your feet. Alternate with non-weight-bearing activities such as swimming, some forms of yoga, and chair exercises.

Taking a Break

Taking regular breaks may be helpful if your work is hard on your feet. Anti-fatigue mats in areas where you have to stand on a hard surface for long periods are also beneficial.

Dealing With Neuroma Pain? Our Experienced Podiatrists in Annapolis, Stevensville, and Glen Burnie, Maryland Can Help!

With over 30 years of experience providing care and treatment for neuroma pain in Central Maryland, we are committed to finding the best treatment option for you.

Whether you see us in our office in Annapolis, Stevensville, or Glen Burnie, you will have access to our full range of state-of-the-art treatments and therapies. We service all of Central Maryland and look forward to helping you. Contact us online or call us directly to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced podiatrists.