footminders (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} footminders) wrote,@ 2009-03-11 14:44:00 |
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mortons Neuroma: Main Causes and Treatment With Orthotics
Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma
A neuroma is defined as a noncancerous growth of nerve tissue that is capable of growing in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma is a condition in which compression occurs to the nerve located between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, causing thickening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as tingling and numbness of the toes start to occur. These symptoms are more noticeable when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, producing a noticeable amount of pain.
A Common Cause of Mortons Neuroma
Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not 100% clear, but anything that can constrict this nerve can cause this tissue to thicken. Wearing high-heeled shoes that can constrict the toes can be a cause of Mortons Neuroma. Also, having flat feet can cause the metatarsals to fall, which causes pressure on this nerve. Thickening of this tissue can also be caused by irritation to the nerve or injury.
What Leads to Metatarsal Pain?
Ball of foot pain is another foot condition that presents itself as pain in the this area. This ailment often happens to women who wear high heels, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. The bones in the foot can drop when the structure of the foot is weakend. We can experience pain when we wear shoes that do not provide the proper support and cushion. Also, people that suffer from excessive pronation can experience metatarsalgia in the ball of their feet. Over-pronation is a condition in which the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to a painful arch.
How to Identify and Relieve Mortons Neuroma
Proper diagnosis is the key to determining the correct treatment for this condition. A podiatrist usually examines the foot by pressing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pressing into the gap between the third and fourth toes. In some cases, he or she may be able to feel the neuroma. Doctors can also try to elicit Mulder’s sign, a clicking noise, by pushing on the area of pain. If the doctor unable to feel a neuroma, he or she can use other techniques such as an x-ray to discard the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows physicians to clearly notice a neuroma.
Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can include anything, from resting the foot to surgery. Most doctors will use conservative treatments first. Conservative treatments include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying orthotic insoles to improve arch support. Orthotic shoe insoles also help distribute your weight more evenly over the entire foot, lessening the pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases you will see an improvement by using a combination of these conservative treatments. In severe cases, where these options do not work, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to reduce the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only adequate solution.
Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you suffer from severe foot pain, it is recommended to have a physician examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause.
Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma A neuroma is defined as a noncancerous growth of nerve tissue that is capable of growing in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma is a condition in which compression occurs to the nerve located between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, causing thickening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as tingling and numbness of the toes start to occur. These symptoms are more noticeable when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, producing a noticeable amount of pain.
A Common Cause of Mortons Neuroma
Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not 100% clear, but anything that can constrict this nerve can cause this tissue to thicken. Wearing high-heeled shoes that can constrict the toes can be a cause of Mortons Neuroma. Also, having flat feet can cause the metatarsals to fall, which causes pressure on this nerve. Thickening of this tissue can also be caused by irritation to the nerve or injury.
What Leads to Metatarsal Pain?
Ball of foot pain is another foot condition that presents itself as pain in the this area. This ailment often happens to women who wear high heels, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. The bones in the foot can drop when the structure of the foot is weakend. We can experience pain when we wear shoes that do not provide the proper support and cushion. Also, people that suffer from excessive pronation can experience metatarsalgia in the ball of their feet. Over-pronation is a condition in which the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to a painful arch.
How to Identify and Relieve Mortons Neuroma
Proper diagnosis is the key to determining the correct treatment for this condition. A podiatrist usually examines the foot by pressing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pressing into the gap between the third and fourth toes. In some cases, he or she may be able to feel the neuroma. Doctors can also try to elicit Mulder’s sign, a clicking noise, by pushing on the area of pain. If the doctor unable to feel a neuroma, he or she can use other techniques such as an x-ray to discard the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows physicians to clearly notice a neuroma.
Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can include anything, from resting the foot to surgery. Most doctors will use conservative treatments first. Conservative treatments include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying orthotic insoles to improve arch support. Orthotic shoe insoles also help distribute your weight more evenly over the entire foot, lessening the pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases you will see an improvement by using a combination of these conservative treatments. In severe cases, where these options do not work, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to reduce the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only adequate solution.
Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you suffer from severe foot pain, it is recommended to have a physician examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause.