Ever feel like you’re constantly standing on a bunched-up sock… but when you go to correct it, nothing’s there? That phantom feeling, felt alongside sharp, burning pain, might be your first introduction to Morton’s Neuroma. It sounds intimidating, but don’t fret- we at My Chicago Foot Expert treat this ball-of-foot problem all the time. Let’s go over what Morton’s Neuroma is and how you can identify it.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
Simply put, a neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a nerve. Simply put, it’s an inflamed nerve, particularly between your third and fourth toes.
Why does it happen? Whenever that nerve gets compressed or irritated.
Think of the long bones in the ball of your foot constantly squeezing the nerve like a vice. This friction and pressure cause the nerve sheath to swell, which leads to that tell-tale pain and phantom sensation.
Who Gets That Squeezing Pain?
The biggest group prone to this nerve compression is women, and we can often point the finger at footwear. Shoes that are tight, narrow, or have high heels force those long forefoot bones together, which gives that nerve no room to breathe.
Runners and high-impact athletes are also at high risk because the repetitive, intense pounding on the forefoot creates constant micro-trauma.
Even your natural foot structure plays a role. If you have very flexible flat feet or a rigid high arch, your foot mechanics might put extra stress on that nerve.
Signs of Morton’s Neuroma to Watch For
The symptoms are often very specific:
- Something is in your foot (not really): You feel a persistent fullness or lump under the ball of your foot.
- Numbness/Tingling: You might feel numbness or tingling in the affected toes. This happens because the compressed nerve is misfiring.
- Relief When Barefoot: The pain often goes away instantly when you take off your tight shoes and massage your foot.
Other Morton’s Neuroma Facts You Might Not Know
Here’s where things get interesting:
First, it’s NOT a tumor. Despite sometimes being referred to as a pinched nerve tumor, it’s important to know that a neuroma is not cancerous. It’s just a non-cancerous thickening of the nerve tissue in response to chronic irritation.
You should also know the pain might actually feel worse when you first start walking after sitting for a while, because the nerve settles back into its compressed state.
And lastly, Morton’s Neuroma might be silent. Sometimes, a neuroma can be present on an MRI or ultrasound without causing any symptoms at all. It only becomes a problem when it gets inflamed enough to send pain signals.
Don’t forget to check out this blog next on how to treat neuromas!
For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.