A podiatrist can help you with a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is the thickening of nerve tissue in the body, with Morton's neuroma specifically happening in the ball of the foot. It’s caused by an irritation in the nerve between the third and fourth toes. Patients experience pain while walking, with a burning, tingling, or numbness. 

• Trauma or injury to the foot, damaging the nerve and resulting in swelling.
• Improper footwear, like shoes that squeeze the foot together. High heels also increase pressure on the vulnerable areas.
• Recurring stress to the feet through repeated physical activities or exercise. This is common with patients who are constantly on their feet due to their job. 
• Deformities of the foot, like a high arch or flat foot. These lead to instability throughout the foot. 

• Taping and padding: This is a special type of tape and bandages that you place on the bottom of the foot. This helps with your symptoms. 
• Orthotics: These are the custom shoes that your podiatrist can create for you. 
• Medication: Cortisone injections reduce the pain and inflammation in the foot. Anti-inflammatory drugs also reduce your swelling. 
• Surgery is the last resort for treatment. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis. The injured nerve is removed and recovery takes a few weeks.

A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body. In the foot, the most common occurring neuroma develops at the base of the third and fourth toes. This condition is referred to as Morton's neuroma.

There are typically no physical signs of Morton's neuroma, such as a lump or a knot. Instead, symptoms may include:

• A sharp, achy or burning pain in the ball of your foot
• Numbness, tingling, or cramping in the toes or forefoot
• Feeling as if you're standing on a pebble in your shoe

While the exact cause of Morton's neuroma is unknown, the growth of the neuroma seems to occur in response to injury, pressure or irritation to one of the nerves that lead to the toes. People with certain foot deformities - bunions, hammertoes and flatfeet- are at higher risk for developing a neuroma. Women are also more likely to develop this condition as wearing high-heels or narrow-toed shoes can increase pressure on the toes. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running.

Morton's neuroma can make walking and performing normal activities difficult and painful. Treatment options vary with the severity of each neuroma, and identifying the neuroma in its earliest stage of development is important to avoid more invasive treatments or surgical correction. Left untreated, neuromas tend to worsen, so it's always best to visit our Norfolk office at the first sign of pain.

Early treatments aim to relieve or reduce pressure on the area around the affected toes. Depending on the severity of your neuroma, a podiatrist may recommend:

• Modifications to footwear. Wide-toed shoes relieve pressure on the neuroma.
• Shoe inserts or padding to provide support for the arch of the foot, which removes pressure from the nerve.
• Anti-inflammatory medications can help ease any pain and inflammation. Ask your doctor first.
• Icing to reduce inflammation.
• Rest to lessen repetitive pressure on the neuroma.

In the most severe cases, surgery may be recommended for patients who do not respond to conservative treatments. AAL Podiatry Associates can help you determine the best approach for your specific condition.