Morton's neuroma is a pathological thickening of the plantar nerve in the foot. This condition is accompanied by pain in the area between the fourth and third finger (rarely between the third and second).
Morton's neuroma in the medical literature may have other names: perineural fibrosis, Morton's finger syndrome, Morton's disease, and others.
More prone to the occurrence of the disease of women.This is due to the frequent wearing of tight shoes with high heels, heavily loading the front area of the foot. In rare cases, Morton's neuroma affects both legs at once.
Наиболее часто называемой причиной развития The disease is excessive pressure on the nerves in the bones of the bones Such anomalous functioning can be triggered not only by the use of tight shoes in combination with overweight or high heels, but also transverse flatfoot.
Neuroma Morton at the beginning of development is characterized bynumbness, burning or tingling between the fourth and third toes, aching pains. In tight shoes, the sensation intensifies. Sometimes patients complain about the feeling of the presence of a foreign body between the fingers.
Periodically manifestations of the disease may be weakened or amplified. Acute pain is noted while walking. After removing the tight shoes, it passes.
In the absence of timely treatment, the pain becomes permanent. She can shift to her fingertips. In this case, the type of shoes is no longer important.
The longer the perineural fibrosis develops without treatment, the more pronounced the soreness between the fingers becomes.
The main diagnostic factor of the disease isnarrow localization of sensations between the fourth and third fingers. An important point in identifying the disease is the increased pain in the transverse direction when the patient compresses the anterior region of the foot.
Inspection is required to clarify the diagnosis.Sometimes a specialist identifies numbness areas manually. On examination, it is important to differentiate the diagnosis from others, similar in symptoms, to diseases (arthritis, fracture). For this purpose, can be used radiographs. In controversial or severe cases, MRI is used.
Preventive measures are aimed atreduction of loads on the front area of the foot. Mainly, it is the choice of rational and optimal shoes and, of course, the prevention of transverse flatfoot.
Neuroma Morton. Treatment
With the periodic nature of pain inthe beginning of the development of the disease is very effective conservative therapy. This is due to the lack of irreversible disturbances in the nerves of the sole during this period. Patients are prescribed analgesics, injections of corticosteroids, physiotherapy. It is also recommended to select more comfortable shoes. Women have to give up high heels. All these measures contribute to the unloading of the foot and the removal of pain, which is accompanied by Morton's neuroma. Treatment of folk remedies while ineffective.
Upon detection of flatfoot (transverse), the scheme of the therapeutic course will also include measures to eliminate it.
In the absence of effect from the applicationconservative methods of intervention is assigned to surgical intervention. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. The metatarsal canal is opened and the neuroma is dissected. After the intervention, there may be a small area of numbness between the fingers. The recovery period is usually several months. During the rehabilitation period, patients are recommended to use rational shoes that do not exert pressure on the forefoot.
