Morton’s neuroma is a painful injury that runners may suffer, but it can be avoided. Do you think you may have Morton’s neuroma? Read on to find out common symptoms, how to treat the condition and how to reduce the likelihood of developing it.
What is Morton’s neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a painful thickening of the sheath around a nerve in the foot. It usually occurs between the 3rd and 4th toes. As the thickening continues it may develop into scar tissue that can have a distinct impact on how it feels to walk and run.
What are the symptoms
You may feel like you have a pebble in your shoe that causes a specific spot of pain between two toes. You might notice numbness or pain across the forefoot. If you squeeze your foot from both sides at the same time, you may feel a very sharp pain.
What are the causes?
Morton’s neuroma is the thickening of protective tissue around a nerve in the feet. It can thicken due to compression of metatarsal bones on the nerve. Commonly, this compression is caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. Consider high heel shoes, rock climbing shoes and compressive running shoes with narrow toe boxes. Flat or collapsed arches can also cause compression, leading to scar tissue development.
How to avoid Morton’s neuroma
If you have flat arches, consider wearing a performance sports insole. This will help to reduce impact pressure and assist the proper alignment of the metatarsal bones. Wear shoes with loose toe boxes where possible. If you notice any pains beginning in these areas, reduce your training load and rest frequently to reduce possible inflammation.
How to treat the condition
Wearing loose-fitting shoes and taking plenty of rest are the best ways to treat Morton’s neuroma. You may consider using anti-inflammatory drugs or even corticosteroid injections. Physiotherapy may be appropriate, and surgery to remove the scar tissue may be a last resort.
About Enertor Advanced Technology Insoles – Enertor insoles are designed to prevent a number of common running injuries and provide more comfort. Designed by leading podiatrists to reduce your risk of injury, the unique design features support your foot throughout training. Enertor insoles are enhanced by D3O impact protection technology, which means they can provide more shock absorption than any other insole. Our expertise, combined with the patented D3O shock absorption technology, enables Enertor to deliver the most advanced injury prevention insoles on the market today.
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Whilst Enertor has over 18 years Orthotics experience, our blog content is provided for informational purposes only and it is not a substitute for your own doctor’s medical advice. Enertor advises anyone with an injury to seek their own medical advice – and do not make any health or medical related decisions based solely on information found on this site.
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