How to Treat Mortons Neuroma and Metatarsalgia Using Orthotic Insoles
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Posted On :
Mar-11-2009
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Article Word Count :
567
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A neuroma is defined as a noncancerous lump of nerve tissue that is capable of growing in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma occurs when there is compression to the nerve found between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, producing thickening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as tingling and numbness of the toes begin to occur.
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Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma
A neuroma is defined as a noncancerous lump of nerve tissue that is capable of growing in any part of the body. Mortons Neuroma occurs when there is compression to the nerve found between the third and fourth metatarsal bones in the foot, producing thickening of this nerve tissue. As the nerve is compressed, symptoms such as tingling and numbness of the toes begin to occur. These symptoms are more pronounced when there is weight placed on the ball of the foot, which causes a great deal of pain.
What Causes Mortons Neuroma?
Causes of Mortons Neuroma are not unequivocally clear, but anything that places abnormal pressure on this nerve can result in the thickening of this tissue. Mortons Neuroma can be caused by wearing high heeled shoes that constrict the toes. Also, it is possible that the condition of flat feet can cause the metatarsals to drop, which places pressure on this nerve. Thickening of this tissue can also be caused by irritation to the nerve or injury.
What Leads to Metatarsal Pain?
Ball of foot pain is another foot condition that presents itself as pain in the this area. This ailment is common among women who wear high-heeled shoes, or people who wear shoes with no cushion or arch support. When the structure of the foot is weakened, it causes the bones of the foot to drop. When we wear shoes that do not provide enough support and cushioning we place excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and we experience pain. Also, people that suffer from overpronation can experience metatarsal pain in the ball of their feet. A condition called over-pronation occurs when the ankles tend to roll inward and can lead to arch pain.
Common Treatments for Mortons Neuroma
To properly treat this condition, one must get a proper diagnosis. A podiatrist usually examines the foot by pressing on the area of pain, squeezing the toes and pressing into the gap between the third and fourth toes. The doctor can simply feel the neuroma, in most cases. Doctors can also try to elicit Mulder’s sign, a clicking noise, by pushing on the area of pain. If the doctor unable to feel a neuroma, he or she can employ other methods such as an x-ray to discard the possibility of any broken bones. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) allows doctors to clearly diagnose a neuroma.
Treatments for Morton’s Neuroma can include anything, from resting the foot to surgery. Most doctors will use conservative treatments first. Conservative treatments include resting the feet, wearing more comfortable shoes and trying arch support insoles to improve arch support. Orthotic shoe insoles also assist in distributing your weight more evenly over the entire foot, lessening the pressure on the ball of the foot. In many cases you will see an improvement by using a combination of these conservative treatments. In severe cases, where these options are not helpful, your doctor may prescribe injections to attempt to reduce the size of the neuroma. In extreme situations, surgery may be the only realistic approach.
Taking care of our feet is an extremely important factor in our overall health and well-being. If you are suffering from intense foot pain, it is recommended to have a doctor examine your feet as soon as possible in order to determine the cause.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_How to Treat Mortons Neuroma and Metatarsalgia Using Orthotic Insoles_141.aspx
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Author Resource :
Fred Salomon is a foot care specialist who specializes in the design of orthotic insoles for healing common foot problems such as flat feet. The use of appropriate orthotic shoe inserts plays a vital role in preventing many of these common foot health problems.
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Keywords :
foot care, flat feet, orthotic shoe inserts, foot pain treatment, Heel pain, foot health problems, aching feet, foot health, ,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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