Neuroma is the thickening of the nerve tissue.Growth of the nerve cell is non-cancerous. The enlargement of the nerve may occur in any part of the body.Most common neuromas include Morton's neuroma. It is also known as inter-metatarsal neuroma since the thickening is around a nerve at the base of the toes between the third and fourth toes.Compression and irritation of the nerve results to Morton's neuroma.This occurs mostly in women than in men. This may be due to the confining shoes worn by women.An early diagnosis and treatment of this foot problem can prevent the need for more invasive treatments or surgery.
In Morton's neuroma, the patient will feel a localized pain in the inter-space between the third and fourth toe.The pain can be sharp or dull.Burning pain in the ball of foot, numbness in the toes, and cramping will also be experienced by the patient.People with foot deformities such as flat feet, bunions, hammertoes, or more flexible feet are at a higher risk of developing Morton's neuroma, as well as those wearing high-heeled and tapered toe box shoes.Morton's neuroma can be caused by activities such as racquet sports and running and injury or trauma to the area.
Accurate diagnosis can successfully help in treating Morton's neuroma.To diagnose the foot problem the podiatrist will ask the patient about the symptoms and will examine the foot comprehensively.He will thoroughly examine the foot by palpating the area to elicit pain and applying pressure in the spaces between the toes to feel the neuroma.Stress fracture signs are going to be felt.
Checking for Mulder's sign is done by the podiatristPalpating the affected interspace with one hand and at the same time squeezing the entire foot with the other hand that results to an audible click is Mulder's signThis can help in the diagnosis since many cases of Morton's neuroma causes an audible click or Mulder's sign.
To make certain that there is no fracture, the podiatrist will request for an x-ray on the affected area. It can also rule out osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis since an x-ray can be used to check on the joints and the bone density.By conducting an MRI, the podiatrist will rule out the possibility that the compression is caused by a tumor.An MRI will also determine the size of the neuroma and the best treatment for it.
Get some more info on Morton's Neuroma and Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma.
