Home
PG College
Patient Login
International patients
Contact Us
Emergency
Download Reports
Morton’s Neuroma Treatment in Pune
Get advanced Morton’s neuroma treatment in Pune with orthopaedic experts providing pain management, decompression, and non-surgical therapy options.
Overview
Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, causing significant discomfort when walking or standing. Despite its name, it’s not actually a tumor but rather a thickening of nerve tissue in your foot. This condition occurs when the nerve between your toes becomes compressed and irritated, most commonly between the third and fourth toes.
This compressive neuropathy affects the interdigital nerve in the forefoot, specifically around the metatarsal heads. The condition is surprisingly common, with experts estimating that one in three people may experience Morton’s neuroma at some point. Women are particularly affected, developing this condition at least five times more frequently than men, especially middle-aged women.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to prevent the condition from worsening and to achieve lasting pain relief. With appropriate care, most people can successfully manage their symptoms and return to normal activities.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Morton’s neuroma typically develop in the forefoot and can significantly impact your daily activities. The pain often worsens when wearing tight shoes or during physical activity, while rest and removing shoes usually provide some relief.
Common symptoms include:
- Burning pain: A sharp, stinging sensation that may spread to your toes or even up your leg
- Pebble sensation: Feeling like you’re walking on a stone or marble inside your shoe
- Numbness and tingling: Loss of sensation or pins-and-needles feeling between affected toes
- Electric sensations: Shock-like feelings that can be quite uncomfortable
These symptoms usually appear suddenly and tend to worsen over time without proper treatment. Unlike other foot conditions, Morton’s neuroma rarely causes a visible lump. Interestingly, some people may have detectable neuromas on MRI scans without experiencing any symptoms at all.
Causes
While the exact cause of Morton’s neuroma isn’t fully understood, several theories explain how this condition develops. The most widely accepted explanation is the chronic trauma theory, which suggests that repeated small injuries to the nerve from normal walking activities lead to compression and eventual thickening.
Other potential causes include:
- Nerve entrapment: The interdigital nerve becomes trapped against ligaments and soft tissues
- Inflammation: Swelling in the area between your metatarsal heads compresses the nerve
- Blood flow problems: Reduced circulation may contribute to nerve tissue changes
Several factors commonly contribute to developing Morton’s neuroma:
- Poor footwear: Wearing shoes with narrow toe-box footwear, high heels, or thin soles
- Foot structure problems: Flat feet, high arches, bunions, or hammertoes
- Physical trauma: Direct injury to your forefoot
- High-impact activities: Sports like running, soccer, tennis, or basketball
- Anatomical changes: Thickening of ligaments or enlarged fluid-filled sacs (bursae)
Risk Factors
Certain factors increase your likelihood of developing Morton’s neuroma:
- Gender and age: Women, particularly those middle-aged, face significantly higher risk
- Footwear choices: Regular use of high heels, pointed shoes, or shoes with narrow toe boxes
- Physical activities: Participation in high-impact sports that stress the forefoot
- Foot conditions: Having flat feet, high arches, bunions, or hammertoes
- Previous injuries: History of forefoot trauma or injury
- Body weight: Excess weight increases pressure on your feet
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Morton’s neuroma typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a foot specialist, such as a podiatrist or orthopedic doctor. The process begins with discussing your symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical examination of your foot.
During the examination, your doctor will look for a classic sign called Mulder’s click – a distinctive clicking sensation felt when pressing on the affected area while squeezing your forefoot. A diagnostic injection of numbing medication may also be used; temporary pain relief from this injection supports the diagnosis.
Several imaging tests may be recommended:
- X-rays: Rule out bone problems like fractures or arthritis
- Ultrasound scan: Shows nerve thickening and helps distinguish from other conditions
- MRI scans: Provides detailed images to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other problems
Your doctor will also work to distinguish Morton’s neuroma from other conditions that cause similar forefoot pain, ensuring you receive the most appropriate treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for Morton’s neuroma focuses on reducing pain and relieving pressure on the affected nerve. Most patients respond well to conservative approaches, though surgery may be necessary in persistent cases.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Most people achieve good results with non-surgical treatment options:
Footwear modifications:
- Wear wide shoes with soft soles and low heels
- Ensure adequate toe room to prevent compression
- Avoid tight, pointed, or high-heeled shoes
Supportive devices:
- Orthotics with metatarsal pads help spread toe bones
- Specialized inserts reduce pressure on the nerve
- Custom-made devices may provide better results
Activity changes:
- Rest your foot and reduce high-impact activities
- Modify sports techniques to reduce forefoot pressure
- Gradually return to normal activities as symptoms improve
Medications:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Prescription medications for nerve pain when needed
- Topical pain-relieving creams or gels
Injection therapies:
- Steroid injections: Reduce inflammation but effects may be temporary
- Alcohol injections: Destroy problematic nerve tissue with high success rates
- Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to destroy nerve tissue
- Cryotherapy: Uses extreme cold to treat the affected nerve
Surgical Treatment
When non-surgical treatment doesn’t provide adequate relief, surgery may be recommended:
- Neurectomy: Removal of the affected nerve portion through either a top-of-foot or bottom-of-foot approach
- Neurolysis: Release of tissue around the nerve without removing it
- Cryogenic treatment: Freezing technique to destroy nerve fibers while preserving the outer nerve structure
Rehabilitation
Recovery from Morton’s neuroma, especially after surgery, requires a structured rehabilitation approach combining foot exercises, activity modifications, and proper foot care.
Foot Exercises
Foot exercises play a crucial role in recovery and prevention by strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and enhancing circulation:
Stretching exercises:
- Manual stretch: Pull your toes back toward your shin
- Wall stretch: Stretch calf muscles against a wall
- Bottle roll: Roll a bottle under your foot for massage and stretch
- Towel stretch: Use a towel to pull your foot toward you
Strengthening exercises:
- Figure-eight patterns: Draw figure eights in the air with your big toe
- Alphabet writing: Write letters in the air using your toe
- Towel crunches: Use your toes to pull a towel toward you
Balance training:
- Single-foot standing: Balance on one foot to improve stability
- Toe raises: Rise up onto your toes and hold
Post-Treatment Care
Proper care after treatment is essential for optimal recovery:
- Wound management: Keep surgical sites clean and dry
- Mobility aids: Use crutches and special sandals as recommended
- Gradual activity return: Slowly increase activity levels over 6-8 weeks
- Pain management: Follow prescribed medication schedules
- Weight management: Maintain healthy weight to reduce foot pressure
Complications
While treatment for Morton’s neuroma is generally successful, potential complications can occur:
Untreated condition complications:
- Permanent nerve damage
- Chronic foot pain
- Progressive nerve enlargement
Treatment-related complications:
Injection treatments:
- Steroid injections: Fat pad shrinkage, skin discoloration, elevated blood sugar
- Alcohol injections: Temporary increased pain or inflammatory reactions
Surgical complications:
- Persistent or chronic pain (8-20% of cases)
- Neuroma recurrence or new growth
- Stump neuroma: Painful growth at the cut nerve end (20-30% of cases)
- Infection, bleeding, or general surgical risks
- Permanent numbness in affected toes
- Toe spreading after certain surgical approaches
Prevention
Preventing Morton’s neuroma involves adopting habits that reduce pressure and irritation on the interdigital nerve:
Smart footwear choices:
- Choose shoes with wide toe box design
- Select low heels and well-cushioned soles
- Avoid tight, pointed, or high-heeled shoes for extended periods
Activity modifications:
- Use proper athletic footwear with adequate padding
- Modify high-impact activities to reduce forefoot stress
- Work with trainers to adjust techniques that stress your feet
Health maintenance:
- Maintain healthy body weight to reduce foot pressure
- Address underlying foot conditions like flat feet or bunions
- Seek prompt treatment for foot injuries
Taking these preventive steps significantly reduces your risk of developing this painful nerve condition.
Living With Morton's Neuroma
Successfully managing Morton’s neuroma requires ongoing commitment to self-care and following medical recommendations. Most patients experience good recovery, particularly with non-surgical treatment approaches.
Daily management strategies:
- Consistently wear appropriate, wide shoes with good support
- Maintain healthy weight through proper diet and exercise
- Perform regular foot exercises to maintain flexibility and strength
- Modify activities that worsen symptoms
Healthcare coordination:
- Work with a team including podiatrists, orthopedic specialists, and primary care providers
- Communicate openly about symptoms and treatment progress
- Follow up regularly to monitor condition status
Home care approaches:
- Rest your foot when symptoms flare
- Apply ice or heat as recommended
- Massage affected areas gently
- Use supportive devices consistently
Expectation management: Understanding that treatment success varies among individuals helps maintain realistic goals. While many achieve complete pain relief, some may experience ongoing symptoms requiring long-term management strategies.
Key Takeaways
- Morton’s neuroma is a nerve thickening condition in the forefoot, typically between the third and fourth toes, causing significant foot pain and discomfort
- Common symptoms include burning pain, numbness, tingling, and the sensation of walking on a pebble, often worsening with tight footwear
- While exact causes remain unclear, chronic trauma, nerve compression, and poor footwear choices are major contributing factors
- Diagnosis relies on clinical examination including Mulder’s click test and imaging studies like ultrasound scans
- Treatment typically begins with conservative non-surgical treatment including proper footwear, orthotics, medications, and specialized injections
- Surgical treatment may be necessary when conservative methods fail, with various techniques available depending on individual cases
- Foot exercises and proper rehabilitation play essential roles in recovery and prevention of recurrence
- Prevention focuses on wearing appropriate footwear, maintaining healthy weight, and modifying high-impact activities
At Sancheti Hospital, we understand that Morton’s neuroma can significantly impact your quality of life and daily activities. Our multidisciplinary team of experienced orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, and rehabilitation specialists works together to provide comprehensive care for patients suffering from this painful condition.
We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including advanced ultrasound and MRI imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis. Our treatment approach begins with conservative non-surgical options, utilizing the latest orthotics technology, specialized injection therapies including steroid and alcohol injections, and comprehensive foot exercise programs.
When surgery becomes necessary, our skilled surgeons perform both traditional and minimally invasive procedures, including neurectomy and nerve decompression techniques, with a focus on optimal outcomes and minimal complications. Our rehabilitation team provides personalized foot exercises and recovery programs to ensure the best possible return to normal activities.
We believe in patient education and work closely with individuals to develop long-term management strategies that prevent recurrence and maintain foot health. With our commitment to excellence and patient-centered care, Sancheti Hospital remains dedicated to helping you achieve lasting pain relief and return to an active, comfortable lifestyle.
Meet Our Foot and Ankle Specialists
Patient Stories & Experiences
The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.
Vinita Singh
The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!
Parvati
I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.
Balaji Kharat
I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.
Shantilal
My life has completely changed after the knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital. It's like I can finally live again!
Kalpana Lepcha
The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.
Karuna
I can't believe that I get to finally live a normal and happy life, all thanks to the knee surgery I had at Sancheti Hospital.
Kishore Bhosle
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for Morton's neuroma to heal completely?
Recovery time varies significantly depending on the treatment approach. With conservative care, you may see improvement in 3-6 months. After surgical treatment, full recovery typically takes 3-6 months, with some patients experiencing gradual improvement for up to a year.
Will I be able to wear heels again after treatment?
Most doctors recommend permanently avoiding high heels over 2 inches to prevent recurrence. However, you may occasionally wear lower heels (1-2 inches) with proper padding and orthotics once your symptoms are well-controlled.
Can Morton's neuroma affect both feet at the same time?
Yes, bilateral Morton’s neuroma (affecting both feet) occurs in about 15-20% of cases. If you develop it in one foot, you have a higher risk of developing it in the other foot, especially if you don’t address underlying risk factors.
Is there any permanent damage if I delay treatment?
Delaying treatment can lead to permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and enlarged nerve tissue that becomes harder to treat. Early intervention significantly improves your chances of complete recovery and helps avoid more invasive treatments later.
