Morton’s neuroma is a painful foot problem that happens when a nerve in your foot gets thicker and swollen. This usually affects the nerve between the third and fourth toes if you experience pain in the ball of your foot or between your toes, it could be a sign of Morton’s neuroma. Here’s how doctors find out if you have it and how they can help make it better, with some advice from Dr. Ishwar Meena, an orthopedic surgeon in Jaipur.

How Do Doctors Find Out if You Have Morton’s Neuroma?

To find out if you have Morton’s neuroma, doctors follow these steps:

1. Talking About Your Symptoms: Your doctor will ask you about the pain you feel, where it is, and how bad it is. They will also ask about things like what kind of shoes you wear and if you do any activities that might hurt your feet.
2. Checking Your Feet: The doctor will look at and touch your feet to see if there’s swelling or tenderness. They might press on your foot to check for any lumps or pain.
3. Taking Pictures: To make sure it’s Morton’s neuroma and not something else, the doctor might use special machines:

1. • X-rays: These take pictures of the bones in your foot to make sure they’re okay.
   • Ultrasound: This uses sound waves to look at the soft parts of your foot and see if the nerve is swollen.
   • MRI: This gives detailed pictures of the inside of your foot, helping the doctor see the nerve.

Dr. Ishwar Meena, an orthopedic surgeon in Jaipur, says that getting the right tests and checking your symptoms carefully is important for finding the best treatment.

How Do Doctors Treat Morton’s Neuroma?

If you have Morton’s neuroma, doctors usually start with simple treatments:

1. Changing Your Shoes: Wearing shoes that are not too tight and have a wide toe area can help reduce pain. Avoid high heels and choose shoes that are comfortable and fit well.
2. Using Orthotics: These are special shoe inserts that help spread the pressure in your foot more evenly. They can assist in alleviating the pain.
3. Taking Medicine: Some medicines can help reduce pain and swelling. These are often called anti-inflammatory drugs and can make you feel better for a while.
4. Doing Exercises: Physical therapy can help strengthen your foot muscles and make them more flexible. Your physical therapist will guide you through exercises designed to ease the pain.

If these treatments don’t help enough, doctors might suggest more options:

1. Corticosteroid Injections: These are injections that can temporarily reduce pain and inflammation.
2. Surgery: If nothing else works, surgery might be needed. There are two main types:

1. • Neurectomy: This procedure involves surgically removing the affected nerve to alleviate pain.
   • Decompression Surgery: This helps to relieve the pressure on the nerve without removing it.

Dr. Ishwar Meena, an orthopedic surgeon in Jaipur, is skilled in these surgeries and can help with advanced treatments if needed.

How Can You Prevent Morton’s Neuroma?

To help avoid Morton’s neuroma or keep it from getting worse, you can:

• Wear the Right Shoes: Choose shoes that fit well and have enough room for your toes.
• Avoid Overusing Your Feet: Try not to do activities that put too much stress on your feet.

• Care for Your Feet: Perform exercises and stretches to maintain the health and strength of your feet.

Follow-up

Morton’s neuroma can be painful, but there are many ways to help make it better. If you’re experiencing foot pain or need guidance, you can consult with Dr. Ishwar Meena, an orthopedic surgeon in Jaipur. He can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment to help you feel better. Taking care of your feet and getting help early can help reduce the pain and make it easier to go about your daily activities.