Blog 58 – What is the Best Morton's Neuroma Treatment in Podiatry?
When considering the important treatment for Morton’s neuroma, it’s imperative to recognise that effective management often requires the best approach. From selecting the right footwear with ample toe space and arch support to utilising metatarsal pads for pressure redistribution, each intervention plays a vital role.
Physical therapy, cortisone injections, and even walking boot immobilisation offer additional avenues for alleviating symptoms.
But which of these strategies truly stands out as the most effective? The answer may depend on various individual factors, and understanding these nuances is key to identifying the most suitable course of action.
Appropriate Footwear
Selecting appropriate footwear is a critical component in the non-surgical management of Morton’s neuroma. Shoes with a wide toe box can greatly alleviate pressure on the affected area.
High-quality footwear designed with a spacious toe box helps to reduce the compression on the interdigital nerve, which is often the source of nerve pain in the toes and shooting pain in the toes.
Choosing shoes with adequate arch support and cushioning can help distribute weight more evenly, reducing localised stress on the metatarsal heads.
Evidence-based research highlights that restrictive, narrow shoes exacerbate symptoms and can contribute to the development of Morton’s neuroma. A crucial aspect of Morton’s neuroma treatment involves advising patients to select shoes with proper fit and construction. We should assess shoes for materials and design that minimise biomechanical stressors, such as high heels or pointed toes, which are known to aggravate the condition.
Patient-focused Morton’s neuroma trreatment should emphasise the importance of footwear modifications as a foundational strategy. Consistently wearing suitable shoes can greatly mitigate nerve pain in the toes, facilitate a reduction in inflammation, and promote neuroma healing.
Hence, footwear selection is indispensable in any extensive treatment plan for morton’s neuroma treatment.
Metatarsal Pads
In addition to appropriate footwear, incorporating metatarsal pads into a treatment regimen for Morton’s neuroma can effectively redistribute pressure away from the affected nerve area. Place metatarsal pads inside the shoe, typically behind the ball of the foot, to provide targeted cushioning and support. This alleviates the compression on the interdigital nerve, thereby reducing symptoms such as pain and numbness.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of metatarsal pads in managing Morton’s neuroma, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgical intervention. The key benefits of using metatarsal pads are as follows:
- Pressure Redistribution: By elevating and separating the metatarsal heads, these pads help to alleviate the direct pressure on the neuroma, thereby reducing pain.
- Enhanced Comfort: By providing additional cushioning, metatarsal pads can enhance overall foot comfort, especially during prolonged periods of standing or walking.
- Ease of Use: Many patients find metatarsal pads to be a convenient option due to their relative affordability, ease of application, and seamless integration into most types of footwear.
Integrating metatarsal pads into a detailed treatment plan can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from Morton’s neuroma, promoting both comfort and functional mobility.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is crucial in the non-surgical management of Morton’s neuroma because it focuses on specific exercises and techniques designed to alleviate pain and improve foot function.
Therapeutic exercises aim to strengthen the intrinsic and extrinsic musculature of the foot, which can reduce the mechanical stress on the affected nerve. Stretching protocols, particularly for the calf muscles and plantar fascia, are essential in enhancing foot biomechanics and reducing nerve entrapment.
Manual therapy techniques, including mobilisation of the metatarsophalangeal joints and soft tissue manipulation, can be highly effective in relieving symptoms. These interventions aim to improve joint mobility and alleviate soft tissue restrictions, thus reducing pressure on the neuroma. Additionally, pain and altered foot mechanics may compromise balance and gait, which proprioceptive training can help improve.
Please watch this fantastic video tutorial from ProActiveSF for four great Morton’s Neuroma exercises you can perform at home:
A patient-centred approach, incorporating individualised exercise prescriptions and regular follow-up, ensures optimal outcomes and long-term relief from Morton’s neuroma symptoms.
Cortisone Injections
A podiatrist may refer you to your doctor to administer cortisone injections, delivering a potent anti-inflammatory treatment for Morton’s neuroma. These injections offer significant pain relief by targeting the inflammation surrounding the affected nerve.
Direct delivery of corticosteroids into the site of discomfort markedly diminishes swelling, effectively alleviating symptoms.
Numerous clinical studies underscore the benefits of cortisone injections, demonstrating their efficacy in managing neuroma-related pain. Patients typically experience rapid relief, often within a few days of the procedure. This method is particularly advantageous for those seeking non-surgical options.
Cortisone injections’ key aspects include:
- Mechanism of Action: Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators, thereby decreasing nerve irritation and associated pain.
- Procedure: the injection is relatively quick, minimally invasive and performed in an outpatient setting.
- Duration and Frequency: Pain relief may last several weeks or months. However, it's important to monitor repeated injections to prevent potential side effects like tissue atrophy and weakening of the surrounding structures.
Walking Boot Immobilisation
Walking boot immobilisation, often used in cases of severe pain, is an effective non-surgical intervention for Morton’s neuroma because it reduces mechanical stress on the affected area.
Using a specialised orthopaedic boot, this method distributes weight more evenly across the plantar surface and limits foot movement.
This immobilisation technique can help a lot with reducing pain and inflammation by reducing the repetitive pressure and biomechanical forces that act on the interdigital nerve.
Clinical evidence supports the efficacy of walking boot immobilisation in alleviating the symptoms associated with Morton’s neuroma. Studies have shown that patients often experience marked symptomatic relief within a few weeks of continuous use.
The boot’s restrictive nature ensures that the foot remains in a neutral position, thereby preventing further aggravation of the neuroma and allowing the affected tissue time to recover.
From a patient-focused perspective, the use of a walking boot can be particularly advantageous because it provides a non-invasive alternative to surgical intervention. Compliance is generally high, as patients typically find the boot comfortable and simple to integrate into daily activities.
However, it is critical for healthcare providers to monitor progress on a regular basis and make adjustments as needed to optimise outcomes.
Morton's Neuroma FAQs
What are Morton's neuroma's symptoms?
Morton's neuroma symptoms typically include sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot, tingling or numbness in the toes, and a sensation of a pebble or fold in the shoe, all of which are exacerbated by weight-bearing activities.
Can lifestyle changes help prevent Morton's neuroma?
Lifestyle changes can greatly help prevent Morton's neuroma by wearing well-fitted, supportive shoes with a wide toe box, avoiding high heels, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular foot-strengthening exercises to enhance overall foot health.
Are there any home remedies for Morton's neuroma?
Home remedies for Morton's neuroma include using ice packs to reduce inflammation, massaging the affected area, and performing specific foot exercises. Furthermore, wearing well-cushioned, supportive shoes and orthotic inserts can effectively alleviate symptoms.
How is Morton's neuroma diagnosed?
Clinical evaluation, patient history, and imaging studies like ultrasound or MRI combine to diagnose Morton's neuroma. Physical examination focuses on identifying specific tenderness and reproducing symptoms through palpation and manipulation of the affected area.
When Should I Consider Surgical Treatment for Morton's Neuroma?
For Morton's neuroma, surgical intervention may be necessary when conservative measures fail and symptoms persist or significantly impair daily activities. Typically, this consideration arises after several months of non-surgical treatment without satisfactory relief.
In Closing Treatment for Mortons Neuroma
The multifaceted approach to treating Morton’s neuroma offers a spectrum of evidence-based interventions, each tailored to address the unique needs of the patient.
The efficacy of these treatments lies in their synergy, from judicious footwear selection and strategic use of metatarsal pads to the incorporation of targeted physical therapy and potentially precise cortisone injections.
The pivotal question remains: which combination will ultimately provide the best relief and restore function, underscoring the necessity for personalised, patient-centric care?
We do recommend seeking the professional advice of an experienced Morton’s Neuroma Podiatrist to answer that question in close consultation with you, your personal circumstances and pereferences to ensure the right morton’s neuroma treatment plan is put in place.
You don’t need to put up with foot pain any longer. Call us today on (03) 4240 5231 or book online and let us get you back on your feet pain free and walking with confidence once again.
Bellevue Podiatry
Bellevue Podiatry has been serving the people of Rosanna and its surrounding suburbs for over 10 years. We have the qualifications, experience and education to effectively treat any lower limb condition or injury that requires expert podiatry care.