Morton's neuroma is a benign growth on a nerve in the foot. Usually the neuroma is located between the third and fourth or fourth and fifth metatarsals, the long bones in the ball of the foot. It is caused by wearing shoes that are too tight or high heels, or repetitive trauma from sports such as tennis or basketball. The muscles and bones rub on and irritate the nerve, resulting in a fibrous growth around the nerve that feels like a small marble or stone between your metatarsals.
Treatment
Conservative treatment includes ice, rest, wearing better-fitting shoes with a wide toe box, stretching and massage. If necessary your doctor may prescribe pain medication or give you a cortisone shot. If the neuroma doesn't improve with conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary to remove the growth.
Post-Surgery Care
For the first two weeks after neuroma surgery your doctor may recommend that you put no weight on the foot at all, requiring you use crutches or a knee walker. After the first two weeks, you will wear a special walking boot for two to four more weeks and may begin putting weight on your foot. You will have to avoid any kind of exercise that puts pressure on the foot while it heals.
Exercise
Once the incision has healed and the pain begins to improve, your doctor may recommend stretching exercises and massage to help with the scar and to maintain range of motion in your feet. Without putting weight on your foot, stretch the toes and the ball of the foot. While sitting, put a pencil on the floor and use your toes to pick up the pencil. Repeat up to 10 times. Spread a hand towel on the floor and use your toes to pull the towel under the arch of your foot. With your hands, pull on your toes and spread them apart.
Massage
Put your thumbs on top of your foot over the area where the neuroma was, and wrap your fingers around to the underside of the foot. Massage between the metatarsal muscles with your fingers and thumbs, gently stretching the scar and the tissue between the bones. Try to move the metatarsals individually with your fingers to make the ball of your foot more flexible. It helps to look at a skeleton chart so you can see where the bones are in relation to your toes, and then find them by palpating with your fingers.
Returning to Normal Exercise
Depending on how your foot is healing, you may be able to return to your normal sports and exercise eight weeks after neuroma surgery, according to the Sussex Foot and Ankle Centre. Before that you can workout, but avoid any exercises that put pressure on the injured foot. Returning to your regular exercise too soon can delay healing after surgery.
Member Comments