What is the best treatment for Morton’s neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition affecting the ball of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes. It occurs when the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes thickens, causing pain, numbness, and discomfort. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, several effective treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. We’ve written more about this in our ‘What is a Morton’s neuroma?’ blog and this provides more information about the causes and symptoms. Treatment for Morton’s neuroma has to start with reducing the stresses that have caused it in the first place. There is no point of progressing to injection treatment or even surgery if the foundations have not been tried first. We call these conservative treatments.
Conservative treatments
The first line of defence against Morton’s neuroma often involves conservative (non-invasive methods):
– Footwear modifications: Switching to shoes with wide toe boxes and low heels can significantly reduce pressure on the affected area 1 3.
– Orthotic devices: custom shoe inserts or metatarsal pads can help redistribute pressure and provide relief 1 2. Sometimes we need to recruit the help of an expert podiatrist who can provide bespoke orthotics to help offload the area.
– Activity modification: Temporarily reducing high-impact activities like running or dancing can allow the nerve to heal 1.
– Ice massage: Regularly massaging the affected area with ice can help reduce pain and inflammation 1 2.
– Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDS): For example ibuprofen can help manage pain and reduce swelling 1 3
Injection treatment
If conservative methods don’t provide sufficient relief, injections can be considered. We offer ultrasound guided cortisone injections which can really help to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief 2 3. This can be temporary and is only worth considering if all the conservative measures have been implemented first. It’s important to ensure that once the tissue inflammation has been calmed by the cortisone injection, the stresses that caused it in the first place have been eliminated.
Surgical Options
In cases where conservative treatments and injections fail to provide relief, surgery may be considered:
– Decompression surgery: This procedure aims to relieve pressure on the affected nerve 1.
– Neurectomy: In this more invasive option, the affected portion of the nerve is surgically removed 1, 3
How The Physios Can Help
At The Physios our experienced team specialises in treating foot conditions like Morton’s neuroma. We offer:
– Comprehensive assessment: Our experts will evaluate your condition and develop a personalised treatment plan.
– Manual therapy: Targeted massage and mobilisation techniques can help alleviate pain and improve foot function.
– Custom orthotics: We can refer you for custom orthotics to provide optimal support and pressure redistribution.
– Exercise prescription: We’ll guide you through specific exercises to strengthen your foot muscles and improve flexibility.
– Education: Our team will provide valuable advice on footwear selection and activity modification to support your recovery.
Remember, early intervention is key to successful treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Physios. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you find the best treatment approach and get you back on your feet, pain-free.
