Please note I am not
a doctor, and the information posted within this article is from my own personal
experience. Please see a physician if you are experiencing pain or discomfort.
Two years ago, I went to my general practitioner about this strange feeling pain in my foot. The sensation was very uncomfortable and felt like I was walking on a stone. Sometimes it felt numb and other times I could barely walk on it. Needless to say, I wanted it to go away. I checked in with my doctor and he gave me an answer, I had a Morton’s Neuroma. I had never heard of this before, so he explained that it’s a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. I had the classic symptoms of the pain being in the ball of my foot and between my third and fourth toes. He also explained this was why I felt like I was standing on a pebble in my shoe.
This led me to wonder how this developed. What caused me to
get a Morton’s Neuroma in the first place?
Unfortunately, the answer is not cut and dried. Experts think pressure on your toes, as well as the nerves between them and the ball of your foot, is the most common cause. By refraining from wearing high heels or shoes with narrow, pointed toes (a big offender), playing sports that require you to put a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet (i.e., running, tennis or other racquet sports), as well as physical work that requires you to be on your feet all day, you are headed in the right direction.
Here are ways to treat and manage a Morton’s Neuroma:
Change your footwear: Switch to wider shoes or use a
stretching device to widen shoes you already own. This will help to take
pressure off your affected nerve.
Orthotic devices: By adding gel insoles to your shoes,
your feet will love the extra cushion and support, giving you the relief and comfort
you need.
Icing: Applying ice or cold packs to the affected area can help
to relieve pain and reduce inflammation naturally.
Pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) will help to reduce pain and swelling. However, don’t take NSAIDs for
more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider.
Corticosteroids: These are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that imitate our naturally occurring hormone cortisol, helping to ease
swelling and irritation.
I hope you find these tips helpful with managing your Morton’s Neuroma or help prevent you from getting one. Thankfully, by following these
steps, I no longer have pain or discomfort and continue to maintain my vigilance
with taking care of my feet.
Wishing you health and happiness!
