Do you ever have that feeling that you have a pebble in your shoe but there isn’t one? That is how sufferers of Morton’s neuroma feel. It is said to feel like there is a pebble in your shoe or that you have a sock crinkled under the ball of your foot.
There are many different causes for ball of the foot pain. When you have Morton’s neuroma, you have pain or irritation but when you take your shoes off, you feel relief. (Which is nice – it doesn’t keep you up at night.) The feeling is generally in the area between your third and fourth toes. Besides the pebble feeling, some people report that their toes will feel numb or they may sting or burn. When you feel the area, you will not feel a lump – it is not a tumor but it is an inflammation of the tissues around the nerves that lead to your toes.
Women are more affected by Morton’s neuroma then men. Tight shoes or shoes that put pressure on the ball of your foot can cause the irritation. High impact sports can also irritate the tissue around the nerve causing Morton’s neuroma. If you have other foot conditions like a bunion or flat feet or hammertoes, you can be more susceptible to developing Morton’s neuroma.
There are many causes for ball of foot pain. If you start feeling pain, it is time to go see your friendly local podiatrist so that you can get diagnosed and get some relief. If you are diagnosed with Morton’s neuroma, the doctor has several options for treatment that you can discuss. The first that should ease some of the irritation quickly would be to wear shoes that do not put pressure on the ball of your foot and that allow the ball of your foot to have plenty of room. The doctor may also suggest that an orthotic made for your foot will reduce the pressure on the area and make you more comfortable.
(Just as a side note – when you go through the process of having an orthotic made for your foot, it is very important that you listen and follow the doctor’s instructions for how to break in the new orthotic. If you don’t follow the instructions, you will not be happy with the orthotic. The orthotic will help your foot but only if you break it in right. Otherwise you will not feel the benefits.)
If your foot still hurts after you have made changes, it is also possible for your doctor to give you an injection that will help reduce the swelling and inflammation. For a vast majority of the population, the change in footwear, an orthotic, and the injection will solve the issue.
As I said before, there are many reasons for ball of foot pain. An accurate diagnosis will be the quickest way to end the pain. And you do want the pain to go away quickly, right?
Have a great weekend.