As we grow older, aches and pains become more and more common. Joint pain? Blame it on the rain. Back pain? Perhaps a consequence of doing yard work over the weekend. Oftentimes, symptoms are easy to ignore, and mostly (if you’re lucky) they go away on their own. When it comes to the feet, however, it’s not as easy to shrug off discomfort – and it’s not good to either.
If you are experiencing foot pain that lasts longer than a few days, see a podiatrist or your family doctor. Burning pain in the ball of your foot could be Morton’s Neuroma, a condition that affects the nerves typically between the third and fourth toes. A swollen nerve, or neuroma, in that part of the foot could make standing and walking extremely uncomfortable.
Here are five signs that you might have Morton’s Neuroma:
- You feel like you’re standing on a pebble or walking on a folded over sock.
- You have a sharp burning pain in the ball of your foot.
- You have pain that radiates out to your toes.
- You are experiencing a tingling sensation and/or numbness in your toes.
- Your pain gets worse when you wear shoes or apply pressure to the area.
Morton’s Neuroma is often the result of continuous pressure or irritation of the one or more of the nerves leading to the toes. You may have a higher risk of developing the condition if you regularly wear tight shoes or high heels, or if you play sports that cause constant impact to the ball of the foot (e.g. basketball, tennis and running).
Are you experiencing symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?
Talk to Dr. Michael Barrett for a formal diagnosis and to learn more about treatment options. A podiatrist should examine your foot to check for masses and may also request an ultrasound or MRI. For most patients, at-home treatment will do, though in some cases injections or even minor surgery may be necessary.
