Morton's neuroma is a rare disease characterized by the growth of connective tissue between the third and fourth toes in the foot area..
The disease is benign and affects the plantar nerve. A developing growth most often occurs in mature women. This disease is diagnosed at a stage of certain neglect.
In the early stages, almost no one pays attention to this, since the symptoms are invisible and do not pay any attention to normal lifestyle.
In the later stages, unbearable pain occurs in the foot, which is permanent.
If you suspect a disease such as Morton's neuroma, treatment at home is possible. Folk remedies will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms of pain and inflammation .
Factors that influence the occurrence of this pathology must be known in order to avoid or eliminate them. The main ones:
The listed reasons provoke gradual irritation of the nerve fibers, and after some time a pathological change occurs in their structure and inflammatory processes develop in the foot.
The early stage of this disease can be determined by the following characteristic signs:
Since neuroma is an inflammation of the nerves, the feet are not externally deformed . Symptoms of the disease are variable; they can intensify and disappear for some time, sometimes even for several years.
In advanced stages, the pain becomes intense, and pulsation is felt in the affected area. In a certain area, the legs hurt constantly, regardless of the load on the foot and the comfort of the shoes.
When the first signs of Morton's neuroma appear, the question arises: which doctor should you contact, which doctor treats such a disease?
For diagnosis and treatment, you should consult a neurologist, surgeon or podologist. A podiatrist is a specialist who deals exclusively with foot problems.
A qualified doctor, after examining the foot and analyzing the patient’s complaints, will be able to make the correct diagnosis and determine the size of the tumor. In some cases, an MRI or radiography may be prescribed .
These additional examinations make it possible to identify or rule out the presence of fractures, arthritis, and other factors that can cause pain in the toes. After such procedures, the neurologist determines how to treat Morton's neuroma in a particular case.
Conservative treatment will be effective only in the absence of chronic changes in the structure of nerve fibers. This treatment method can be used if the disease is detected at the initial stages of its development.
The main aspect of conservative treatment is orthotics for Morton's neuroma . Their use in the early stages makes it possible to quickly eliminate symptoms.
Special insoles significantly reduce pain and relieve numbness in the feet.
Orthopedic insoles must be purchased in specialized stores strictly according to their size. Inconsistency of parameters can significantly aggravate the situation and lead to serious problems.
The use of orthopedic metatarsal pads and instep supports is also recommended.
The following medications may be prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation:
Hydrocortisone ointment has proven itself to be an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Before using these drugs, be sure to read the instructions. Since many non-steroidal drugs are contraindicated in the presence of stomach problems.
An effective physiotherapeutic remedy is massage. You can do it yourself at home or seek help from a specialist. Hand massage in the area of the inflamed nerve relieves pain and speeds up the healing process.
The procedure can be done using a ball, rolling it along the foot. A good result is achieved by massaging the entire foot with a special massager that applies pressure to different areas of the foot.
If the pain is severe enough to not be relieved by conservative methods, the doctor may prescribe an anesthetic blockade to the area of the affected nerve. The blockade is an injection into the projection of the neuroma.
The drug forcibly eliminates local inflammation and swelling, which significantly reduces symptoms or promotes their regression.
The effectiveness of treating Morton's neuroma with folk remedies is confirmed by experts. There are traditional methods that are good for getting rid of the disease; they eliminate inflammation and pain.
But medications from traditional medicine recipes are not able to eliminate the cause of the disease.
Effective folk recipes for influencing neuroma:
When using folk recipes to eliminate the symptoms of Morton's neuroma, it is important to adhere to the dosage of the components and follow the rules for using medicinal products.
Morton's neuroma is a rare but unpleasant disease . The most negative point is diagnosis at later stages of development.
There are many methods to eliminate the disease. Self-treatment using traditional recipes is also possible. But such procedures effectively eliminate symptoms, but do not completely eliminate the disease.
To avoid such a problem, it is better to know the reasons for its occurrence and preventive measures.
The medical term "Morton's neuroma" is explained as a growth of connective tissue in the area of the foot between the third and fourth toes. This benign tumor (fibroma) affects the plantar nerve. The development of a growth is benign and usually occurs in women.
Symptoms that may indicate the disease are burning pain at the site of nerve inflammation, numbness of the toes, discomfort when walking. If you suspect you have a foot neuroma, immediately contact a diagnostic center or make an appointment with a surgeon.
Knowing the causes of this unpleasant disease, you can avoid it if you eliminate at least some of them and engage in preventive measures and therapeutic exercises.
Modern medicine uses two methods in the treatment of Morton's disease, namely: conservative and surgical. Painkillers (analgesics, corticosteroids) and physiotherapy (ultrasound, paraffin, ultrasonic phonophoresis, massage) are prescribed. In cases where conservative treatment is ineffective and does not eliminate pain, surgery is performed to remove part of the nerve or dissect it.
You can eliminate the unpleasant symptoms, pain and inflammation of interdigital neuroma using well-known folk remedies. Let's take a look at them so that we can use them if necessary.
1. This recipe for treating foot neuroma came to us from ancient times. Wormwood juice (or just crushed leaves) is applied as a compress to the sore spot overnight.
2. Cabbage leaf will relieve pain and inflammation. It should be tied at night as a compress. The treatment is long-term.
3. Treatment of Kalanchoe. To do this, squeeze the juice out of a fresh leaf, soak a cotton pad in it and apply it to the sore area on the foot. You can also apply a fresh, slightly beaten leaf to the sole as a compress.
4. Helps treat Morton's syndrome and fresh potatoes. It is crushed to a mushy mass, spread on gauze and tied as a compress to the sole overnight.
5. Burdock will help fight perineural fibrosis. A decoction is prepared from the root of the plant: for one and a half to two liters of water (boiling water), take two to two and a half tablespoons of the raw material (crushed). Boil this mixture over low heat for 3-5 minutes. A gauze napkin is moistened in the finished decoction and applied to the sore spot as a compress. They keep it there all night.
Daily medicinal baths with chamomile infusion and sea salt help. Feet are immersed for 25-30 minutes in warm water (37°-38°).
To reduce pain, you can prepare a foot bath with a decoction of lavender, calamus root, kelp and pine. It will perfectly relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in the tissues. For one liter of boiling water you will need to take a spoon (teaspoon) of each plant material. Boil the composition over the fire for 3 minutes and let it brew under the lid for another hour.
You can also make healing foot baths daily with calendula, mint leaves, chamomile flowers, pine needles and Icelandic moss. Such procedures will regulate metabolism in diseased tissues, relieve inflammation and pain.
Hay dust is also used in treatment. Baths are prepared from it. Half a kilogram of raw materials is added to 5 liters of boiling water.
Propolis will help relieve pain and other symptoms of Morton's finger syndrome. For 300 milliliters of homemade moonshine or medical alcohol diluted to 50°, take 20 grams of natural bee product. Infuse the composition for two weeks in a warm, dark place, remembering to shake regularly. The finished tincture is applied as a lotion (on cotton wool) to the affected area for 5-7 minutes.
Repeat this procedure twice a day for a week or more. The pain will go away.
This tincture will help in the treatment of Morton's neuroma. The stems of marsh cinquefoil are crushed (not very finely). Fill them into a 0.7 liter glass bottle and add vodka. Infuse for two weeks, shaking every now and then. Rub the sore area on the foot and apply compresses.
White acacia flowers are poured with alcohol. They insist. Used as a lotion on a sore spot with Morton's disease.
The following recipe will take away the pain: pour 1 tablespoon (tablespoon) of a solution of 10% ammonia into 200 milliliters of milk. The mixture is tightly closed and left for 24 hours in a dark place in a glass container (brown or dark green). During infusion, it is shaken periodically. The bottle is then opened and the mixture is heated slightly. Apply the composition to the affected area and rub in.
Long-standing or rapidly progressing neuroma of the foot requires surgical treatment. However, it can be avoided if preventive measures are started in time. These include therapeutic exercises and folk methods. Baths, compresses and rubs with decoctions and tinctures of burdock, bay leaf, and calendula have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. A mixture of fat and salt relieves swelling.
If you have a foot neuroma, you must wear orthopedic shoes or special insoles that can be inserted into regular shoes or boots. This significantly reduces the frequency of exacerbations of the disease and improves the prognosis.
At home, inflammation can be treated with such compresses. Mix two tablespoons of mustard and the same amount of oil. Bring the mixture to a boil. After cooling, add honey. Soak the bandage in the mixture and apply a compress. Keep it for at least one hour. The pain will go away in a week.
This recipe will cure you. Pass five pods of hot red pepper through a meat grinder. Mix the mass with fat (pork, goose or lamb) and onions. These ingredients take approximately the same amount. Add 300 milliliters of plantain juice. Stir. They make compresses. The course of treatment lasts one month.
This recipe will help relieve pain due to neuroma. Mix: “Triple” cologne with analgin and aspirin tablets. (They take 5 pieces each.) Infuse the product for two weeks. They make compresses.
At night, tie a gauze bandage soaked in this mixture to the sore spot. Fat (pork, beef) and propolis tincture.
Rosehip flowers (5 tablespoons) are poured with table vinegar (500 ml). Insist for 24 hours. Boil further in a water bath for 20 minutes. They apply lotions to the neuroma.
Grapefruit juice will stop tumor growth and neuroma progression. You need to drink one glass a day.
In order to prevent the development of Morton's neuroma, it can be recommended to select and wear comfortable, loose shoes that prevent stress on the forefoot. If inflammation does occur, consult your doctor and begin treatment.
Morton's neuroma is a benign fibrous growth of the plantar nerve tissue, usually localized between the base of the third and fourth toes. Nerve damage in the foot is most often unilateral, but pathologies on both sides are also found.
Women of all ages are at risk of developing the disorder.
The cause of plantar nerve neuritis is considered to be compression of the nerve by the heads of the metatarsal bones.
Common causes of intermetatarsal neuroma are:
The listed reasons lead to gradual irritation of the nerve fibers, which after a certain time causes pathological changes in their structure and leads to the development of inflammatory processes in the foot.
The initial stage of the disease can be recognized by the following characteristic signs:
Negative symptoms appear when walking for a long time or frequently wearing high-heeled shoes.
There are no deformities in the appearance of the foot; a neuroma is not a tumor - it is an inflammation of the nerves.
Morton's neuroma is characterized by a wave-like course with intensification and temporary subsidence of alarming symptoms, which can sometimes disappear for several years.
As the pathology develops, the pain becomes more intense, and the person feels a pulsation in the affected area. Pain in the later stages occurs regardless of the type of shoe and the load on the foot and is constant, occurring even in a state of complete rest.
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To make the correct diagnosis, it is enough to carry out examinations to distinguish Morton's neuroma from a bone fracture or arthritis:
Based on the results obtained, the specialist determines the stage of the disease and selects competent, effective treatment for the patient.
At the initial stages of the development of the disease, it is possible to use conservative therapy, the main focus of which is to eliminate increased pressure on the nerve.
The patient is recommended to change shoes to models with a wide toe, a loose last and a small heel. It is useful to choose orthopedic shoes, use special arch supports and insoles, made individually in accordance with the parameters of the patient’s foot.
The following medications are used to relieve pain and inflammation
The use of such methods of combating neuroma of the foot usually gives a positive result 2-3 months after the start of treatment.
If there is no effect from the drugs, anesthetics are prescribed in combination with hormonal drugs that are delivered precisely to the neuroma - Dexametozol, Hydrocortisone, Kenalog, Diprospan.
The complex often uses massage sessions.
A timely visit to a specialist and compliance with all the doctor’s recommendations and instructions will help avoid surgery.
Surgical treatment is used in advanced cases, in case of prolonged absence of competent treatment and in case of ineffectiveness of drug therapy for Morton's neuroma.
During the operation, which is performed under local anesthesia, doctors remove the neuroma, if necessary, with a small section of the nerve or expand the perineural area to reduce tissue pressure on the nerve.
The patient can step on the foot the very next day after surgery. Gradually, the person is allowed to increase the load on the foot.
Experts confirm the effectiveness of traditional medicine to eliminate inflammation and pain in Morton's neuroma. At the same time, medications made from natural ingredients are not able to eliminate the cause; they are used as a supplement to traditional treatment after mandatory consultation with a doctor.
The most effective folk recipes for treating the disease:
To achieve maximum effects from the use of traditional recipes, you must strictly follow the required dosage of components and the rules for using medicinal products.
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To prevent the occurrence of Morton's neuroma, it is recommended to follow these simple rules:
The sooner a person detects the symptoms of Morton's neuroma and begins the treatment prescribed by a specialist, the greater the patient's chances of avoiding deterioration of the condition and surgical intervention. Timely use of traditional and folk treatment is the key to a speedy recovery and elimination of symptoms that cause significant inconvenience and discomfort to a person.
We also invite you to watch a useful video on the topic of the article:
Morton's neuroma is very rare.
Few people can diagnose the disease immediately after its occurrence due to the fact that the patient does not seek help.
This is explained by mild symptoms , which do not have a serious impact on a person’s normal lifestyle.
When the disease progresses to a late stage, acute pain appears in the foot, which is constantly present.
The initial form of the disease can be treated with conservative and traditional methods, without the use of surgical intervention.
Wormwood compresses help eliminate inflammation in the feet. To do this, you need to cut several plants, chop them with a blender or grind them in a meat grinder to a pulp. The resulting mass is applied to the sore spot on the foot, covered with a bandage and secured with a bandage.
This is done before going to bed. The procedure is repeated until the patient's condition improves.
In addition to the gruel, you can use squeezed from ground wormwood leaves. They moisten gauze folded in several layers with it, apply it to the sore spot, cover it with a film on top and wrap it with a bandage.
If inflammation or unpleasant symptoms that cause discomfort occur, you can use traditional medicine. They are very simple, affordable and effective.
A fresh leaf of white cabbage should be slightly softened with a meat mallet , then applied to the area of the foot affected by the neuroma and wrapped with a bandage. The course of treatment lasts a long time until the condition improves.
Peel a medium-sized potato and grate it on a fine grater. You can grind it in a meat grinder with a fine grid.
The result is a pasty mass, which is used to treat Morton's neuroma. It is laid out on a piece of fabric and tied to the foot until the morning.
Various ointments . 100 grams of goose or pork fat should be ground with one tablespoon of salt.
Rub the mixture onto the problem area, then put on warm socks, and rinse the compress with warm water in the morning. The pain will gradually begin to subside. The course of treatment ranges from 30 to 60 days .
To prevent possible foot injury, during the procedures you should try to move as little as possible, or use orthopedic insoles.
Grind the bay leaves into a powder using a coffee grinder. Separate two full tablespoons. Chop the pine needles too, take one tablespoon and mix with bay leaf powder, add 50 grams of butter and mix everything well again until smooth.
Herbal decoctions for baths
You can reduce the intensity of pain with the help of foot baths, where decoctions of medicinal plants such as lavender, calamus root, pine needles, and kelp are added. They help relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation in the feet .
One teaspoon of the listed ingredients is poured into a liter of boiling water, placed on low heat, brought to a boil and left for no more than three minutes. Then turn off the fire and leave for 1 hour to infuse.
Very good results are provided by baths made from calendula, peppermint leaves, chamomile flowers, pine needles and Icelandic moss. The method of preparing the decoction is exactly the same as in the first option.
With the help of these procedures, metabolic processes are normalized in all tissues affected by the disease, inflammation and pain are reduced. You can also use dust from good hay for baths. 0.5 kg of raw materials is poured with five liters of boiling water.
With Morton's neuroma, pain and other symptoms can be eliminated with the help of propolis. To prepare the medicine, you need to take 300 ml of homemade moonshine, or medical alcohol previously diluted with water to 50 degrees. Propolis in an amount of 20 grams is crushed and added to alcohol.
The container is taken to a warm place, protected from light, and left there to infuse for 14 days, shaking the mixture periodically.
Cotton swabs are soaked in the prepared product and lotions are made .
The duration of the procedure should not exceed ten minutes in the morning and evening for 7 days.
Marsh cinquefoil is also used for making tinctures.
The stems of the plant are crushed, placed in a glass bottle with a capacity of 0.7 liters, then vodka is added and put in a dark place for two weeks. Don't forget to shake the contents of the bottle from time to time.
The finished medicine is used for rubbing sore feet and preparing compresses.
A mixture of a glass of whole fresh milk and one tablespoon of ammonia 10% is very suitable for relieving pain. The ingredients are placed in a dark glass bottle and stored in a dark place for 24 hours. After this time, you need to open the container and slightly warm its contents. Rub the sore spot in the foot area with a warm solution.
Mix two tablespoons of butter with the same amount of mustard and bring to a boil over low heat. After the composition has cooled, bee honey is added to it. Gauze folded in several layers is moistened in the resulting medicine and applied to the sore foot.
You can remove the compress only after 60 minutes. After 7 days of treatment, pain will not bother the person.
Five pods of hot red pepper need to be ground in a meat grinder. The resulting gruel is mixed with the same amount of pork or goose fat and pre-chopped onions. Pour 300 ml of plantain juice into the mixture.
Everything is thoroughly mixed and used for compresses before bed. The course of treatment is 30 days. After such procedures, a noticeable improvement in the patient’s condition occurs, pain disappears and inflammation is eliminated.
Morton's neuroma is a fairly common type of disease that manifests itself in the form of thickening of the nerve of the foot and is accompanied by unpleasant pain.
In most cases, Morton's syndrome occurs in women due to constant walking in high heels, but this disease can also affect men.
Neuroma of the foot is localized mainly between the third and fourth toes, and unilateral nerve damage occurs; only in very rare cases, bilateral damage is possible.
The main reasons provoking the development of this disease are:
In the first stages of development of foot neuroma, patients most often do not notice any special changes, only mild pain is noted when the area between the toes is compressed.
Foot neuroma has the following symptoms:
The photo shows where Morton's neuroma is most often concentrated
These symptoms of Morton's neuroma may subside over time and not be noticeable for several years.
Pain appears only when walking in high heels, tight or narrow shoes; when they are removed, the discomfort immediately disappears.
First of all, the diagnosis of Morton's neuroma is based on complaints and symptoms.
The attending physician must conduct a survey , during which he finds out what kind of shoes the patient wears, how often the legs are loaded, whether there have been leg diseases (for example, muscle diseases, arthrosis, arthritis), injuries or bruises, and then, if necessary, carry out other diagnostic methods .
In order to make sure the diagnosis is correct, the doctor examines the foot, during which the most painful places are palpated.
If the doctor has not come to a clear decision, then he may prescribe an x-ray or an MRI . The problem with diagnosing foot neuroma is that its symptoms are very similar to other diseases, such as arthritis, fracture, arthrosis.
In order to determine the location of the neuroma, anesthetics are administered.
There are two types of treatment for foot neuroma - conservative and surgical.
The first method is conservative. It aims to ease the work of the foot and reduce the load on the legs without using surgery.
This treatment method will help if the foot neuroma is in the initial stages, otherwise only surgical intervention can relieve the patient from pain and discomfort.
Conservative treatment of foot neuroma includes the following elements:
If these rules are followed, the pain should go away within 2-3 months, but if it intensifies, then painkillers are administered.
Also, medications such as:
According to reviews, treatment of Morton's neuroma with such methods has its pros and cons. So the advantages of this technique include:
As for the disadvantages of this treatment, they are as follows:
The second method of treating Morton's syndrome is surgery . This method is used in case of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment. There are several types of combating this disease through surgery, these are:
The benefits of surgery include :
As for the minuses, these are:
Because of this, Morton's neuroma can progress and lead to undesirable results.
This does not mean that this method is strictly prohibited; it can be used as an auxiliary to the main method of treatment.
For example, various bandages, herbal or flower compresses are used to relieve pain. Most often, lotions are made from wormwood.
To do this, the plant is ground, the resulting mass is placed on a bandage and applied to the foot overnight, and the pain gradually begins to go away.
It is advisable to use traditional methods only with the consent of a doctor, otherwise there is a risk of worsening your condition.
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With conservative or surgical treatment, the cause of the disease is eliminated, so in almost all cases the prognosis is very comforting. After the rehabilitation period, you will again be able to walk, run, and wear dress shoes painlessly.
But if you delay going to the doctor or self-medicate, serious problems may arise, for example, pain will increase or inflammation will continue to spread.
In such cases, you should forget about conservative treatment, so if you want to do without surgery, you should consult a doctor when the first signs of Morton's disease appear .
Prevention of foot neuroma is quite simple and does not require much effort. First of all, it is aimed at reducing pain and stress on the legs. It is worth remembering and adhering to certain rules:
These tips are quite simple, and following them will not bring much difficulty.
It is important to remember that by neglecting the first manifestations of the disease, you may face more serious consequences, which will be much more difficult to get rid of.
If you have frequent foot pain and it gets worse when you walk, it may be a sign of Morton's disease. What methods of treatment and prevention exist.
This section was created to take care of those who need a qualified specialist, without disturbing the usual rhythm of their own lives.
I still don’t understand which doctor I should see?
Without knowing the diagnosis, I turned to a surgeon and did an ultrasound; to the neurologist she poked along the thigh but also in other places, just not in the place where the pain was localized; The therapist did an x-ray and sent me for physical therapy. There is practically no diagnosis. As I now understand that this is Morton's neuroma - everything corresponds to this disease. This is medicine...
Good afternoon, you need to contact an orthopedic traumatologist.
So I went and went from doctor to doctor. The diagnosis was not made, but I spent 2 weeks on all kinds of x-rays, tests and a visit to the gynecologist (where would I be without him.). Then, on the Internet, I was able to identify the disease based on the symptoms. Treatment options essentially boiled down to comfortable shoes and surgery. But traditional medicine suggested something funny: apply salted lard at night. And I applied it and IT HELPED. Wear a cotton sock over the lard. The recipe emphasized not to wrap it in plastic. Don't forget to make the bed with some unnecessary blanket or sheet so as not to stain the bed. I did it for about 2 weeks, everything has been fine for a year now.
I was diagnosed with Morton's neuroma 9 years ago by an orthopedist. Magnetic tomography did not show it at all. He said that it would not be visible. The pain was severe. I had to take off my shoes on the way. In the summer there were no problems because... wore open shoes. injections did not help. refused cortisone. did not agree to surgery because... the doctor said that the floor of the foot would be numb forever. I started wearing shoes with the right foot support. Hydromassage procedures. Gradually the pain went away. I thought that the right shoes helped and told the same doctor about it. He was really surprised. A couple of years have passed. I didn’t feel anything other than a tingling under my fingers the moment I got out of bed in the morning. And then it all started, but differently. Everything started to hurt. My foot started to hurt in different places. And the second one started to hurt, too. No matter what I did, it didn’t help nothing. And injections, massage, reflexology, physiotherapy. Then I started looking for information about this disease again. I realized that this disease can go dormant for a couple of years and then appear again. 3 years after a lull. Recently a simple x-ray showed seals between the fingers for 2- x legs. And 9 years ago I didn’t see tomogdafia. I understand that this thing is growing. Everywhere they write that there is temporary numbness after surgery. Is it possible to have surgery on 2 legs at once? or in turns? and again, after the pain in the foot resumed, the legs began to hurt in the ankle. The pain was severe and had been for a long time. I have difficulty getting up after sleep, or even after which I get up from the sofa or chair, then while I’m walking it seems tolerable. Better than after rest. It seems like I can live. It varies. .can pain in the ankle and Achilles tendon be associated with Morton's neuroma? please answer. I no longer know which doctor I should go to and what to do. Thank you.
Hello! I have the same problem, but three different neurologists over the course of a year could not diagnose me. I myself found information on the Internet that the pain that I was experiencing most likely was Morton’s neuroma (intermetatarsal neuroma). And then, without any referrals, I myself went and signed up for an MRI of the foot and the diagnosis was confirmed. And she is no longer small. I can’t fully step on my foot at all; I walk around the house on the inside of it. It is useless to do blockades and it is not a fact that it will help, and if it helps, then for a maximum of six months, it is better not to delay and to operate and excise this section of the thickened nerve. You need to contact a neurosurgeon; he is the one who performs such an operation under conduction anesthesia. But here in Severodonetsk they perform such an operation under epidural anesthesia, so I am going to have the operation in Lugansk at the hand microsurgery center and they perform such operations under conduction anesthesia. But it’s not easy to get there; you need to apply for a pass to the LPR in connection with this damn war. In general, I wish you a speedy recovery
Mortan's neuroma is easily removed with surgery. The operation is easy..40 minutes and that’s it. I had it done under local anesthesia on 1 foot. I walked on my heel for a day or two, and then it was fine. a week of rehabilitation and that’s it.. Beauty.. no problems.. regarding the numbness.. at first something went numb.. after six months it went away... I recommend it. I don’t feel like I’m disabled anymore. There was always the problem of going somewhere, what shoes to put on, whether I could stand the long walk, etc., etc.
As a neurologist, I can’t understand why diagnosing this disease is so difficult? It can be suspected only by 1-2 complaints that the patient makes! Another treatment option is that neuroma responds well to shock wave therapy! Patients, as a rule, note a complete absence of complaints However, NSAIDs are not taken. Health to everyone!
Many women who prefer to wear narrow high-heeled shoes do not even know what Morton's neuroma is. Only when pain, discomfort when walking and other signs of pathology begin does anxiety appear. However, medical assistance received too late is often ineffective. Therefore, it is better to familiarize yourself with basic information on this issue in advance. This will avoid many problems in the future.
Morton's disease or neuroma of the foot is a pathological growth of connective (fibrous) tissue. This neoplasm is localized between the middle and ring toe around the superficial branch of the plantar lateral nerve.
The plantar nerve is located between the tubular bones that make up the middle part of the foot - the metatarsus. With growths caused by Morton's disease, the nerve of the sole is compressed by a ligament located across the foot between the metatarsal bones.
Compression of the nerve is most often localized in the 3rd or other interdigital spaces. Pain that occurs around the heads of the metatarsal bones is called metatarsalgia.
Morton's neuroma is not quite the correct name in this case. After all, neoplasms, i.e. nerve tumors - neuromas, are not observed in this case. Only pathological thickening of the nerve occurs when it is compressed by fibrous tissue. Therefore, this pathology received another name - perineural fibrosis.
The most common cause of intermetatarsal neuroma is prolonged excessive stress on the forefoot. They are caused by the following reasons:
Other causes of neuroma development are associated with nerve deformation due to various types of foot injuries. This may be a dislocation, fracture or bruise, as a result of which develops:
Other ailments that provoke the development of Morton's disease include:
Under the influence of the above factors, the common digital nerve is in a constant irritated or compressed state. As a result, deformation of the membrane begins, degeneration of nerve fibers, and proliferation of fibrous tissue. Over time, epinephric tissue fusions with adjacent musculoskeletal tissues and foci of inflammation form.
Without proper treatment, the disease progresses and pathological processes worsen. If initial signs of damage to the plantar nerve appear, you should immediately consult a specialist.
As the connective tissue grows, the pressure on the plantar nerve gradually increases. Symptoms of the disease begin to appear. Among them are:
If at least 1 or 2 of the above symptoms appear, you should immediately see a doctor for examination and treatment. It should be remembered that the pathological process is constantly becoming more complicated. As a result, the pain between the fingers becomes unbearable. A person may lose the ability to walk due to loss of orthopedic function of the foot.
After conducting an anamnestic conversation, the specialist prescribes various research procedures to obtain the necessary clinical data. A routine examination of the foot by palpation in most cases does not detect a tumor, which is usually located in the internal space.
Compression of the foot in the frontal plane is considered fundamental when diagnosing Morton's neuroma. If during this procedure there is a noticeable increase in pain in the metatarsal area, this is considered a clear symptom of Morton's neuroma. Especially if the pain is felt in the interdigital space and in the toes.
To obtain additional information about the degree of development of the disease, localization of the pathological process, etc., diagnostics include the following:
Once all the necessary data is received, an individual course of treatment is prescribed.
Morton's neuroma can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment is carried out in a comprehensive course, including oral medications, injections, physical therapy and other therapeutic procedures.
The fundamental point in treating the disease is to reduce the intensity of the pain syndrome. For this, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs:
Additionally, injections of local anesthetics and anesthetic blockade are carried out in the area of the inflamed areas of the foot. To relieve swelling and pain, a proven remedy is the injection of glucocorticosteroids into the area where the tumor is located.
To increase the therapeutic effect, the patient undergoes courses of physiotherapeutic procedures such as:
Conservative treatment usually lasts 3-4 months. In particularly difficult cases, when therapeutic measures do not bring the necessary relief, the patient is treated surgically.
Surgical treatment of Morton's disease involves operations such as:
Ligament dissection is a simple operation that lasts no more than a quarter of an hour. After it is performed, the patient should lie down for approximately 2 - 3 hours. After this, the patient is allowed to walk. In case of severe pain, the necessary analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
Osteotomy, i.e. surgical fracture, of the metatarsal bones is performed to displace the head of the metatarsal bone, which compresses the plantar nerve. To perform such an operation, the surgeon first makes a tiny puncture through which the procedure is carried out.
Scarring is usually not observed after osteotomy. The skin retains its natural appearance. The recovery period after surgery performed using this method is the longest.
Nerveectomy is a more complex and lengthy operation. During the postoperative period, the patient experiences numbness in the interdigital area. However, the supporting function of the foot is not impaired. Desmurgic bandages (splints) are usually not applied to the foot.
All operations are carried out in an outpatient clinic. Pain relief is local only. Hospitalization of the patient is not required. It is enough to remain under the supervision of a specialist for 2-3 hours. Sutures are removed after 2 weeks.
The patient undergoes rehabilitation at home; for this period (about 2 weeks) he is prescribed maintenance therapy, therapeutic exercises, and regime correction.
The fundamental point in the treatment of Morton's neuroma is the correction of the regimen. The patient is required to wear comfortable shoes made of soft materials, correctly selected according to the size and shape of the foot. The main thing when choosing shoes is to relieve the forefoot as much as possible in the area of the metatarsus and toes.
If necessary, it is recommended to use:
The shoe last needs to be light and stable. It should correctly follow the curve of the foot. Your fingers should be positioned freely and comfortably while walking. If the treatment results are favorable, after some time a small wedge-type heel is allowed.
Folk remedies for neuroma are used only to relieve pain or reduce the intensity of pain. The analgesic effect is achieved using various warming procedures.
Wormwood herb must be crushed to obtain a paste. Then apply to a gauze or soft cloth swab. Apply to the inflamed area of the foot. Secure with a bandage and leave for 10-12 hours. The effectiveness of the procedure increases significantly in a state of rest. Therefore, it is advisable to apply the bandage before going to bed at night.
To make a medicinal ointment, you need pork fat (100 g) mixed with table salt (1 tbsp). Then rub into the location of the pain. Apply a bandage of gauze and insulating fabric. Leave overnight.
To prepare the rub, you will need the following ingredients:
All products must be mixed dry and poured with vodka (200 ml) or diluted alcohol. Leave for 7 days, shaking occasionally. Then strain and rub your feet before going to bed at night. To keep warm, wear warm socks.
Before going to bed at night, you need to apply a fresh cabbage leaf to the inflamed area and secure it with a bandage or soft cloth. This will reduce inflammation and relieve some of the pain.
Dry bay leaves and pine needles must be passed through a coffee grinder and mixed thoroughly. Then add 4 tbsp to the softened butter. spoons of dry raw materials. Stir to obtain a homogeneous ointment. Rub into the affected area, cover with a soft cloth and wear natural fiber socks.
A decoction of flax seed reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process in Morton's neuroma. To prepare it, you need to pour flax seed (4 tablespoons) with cold boiled water (1 l). Better in an enamel pan.
Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for a quarter of an hour. Cool gradually under a napkin. Strain through 3 layers of gauze, squeeze lightly and add boiled water to the original volume (1 l). Drink a little throughout the day. You can add lemon juice for taste. The course of treatment is 15-20 days. The main contraindications are hepatitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis.
All folk remedies can be used only with the permission of the attending physician. Conservative treatment is mandatory in this case.
The following measures will help prevent the development of Morton's disease:
When working in a standing position, walking for a long time and wearing high-heeled dress shoes, it is necessary to carry out special orthopedic gymnastics, preventive foot massage and relaxing baths. It is advisable to select shoes with arch support. It is good to use special insoles, liners and pads for shoes.