How to Diagnose Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s Neuroma causes pain in the ball of your foot and commonly makes it feel like you’re walking on a pebble. It often develops between the third and fourth toes and causes burning pain, tingling, or numbness. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse. Here, we explain Morton’s neuroma diagnosis and what steps you can take to treat it.

Steps to Morton’s Neuroma Diagnosis

Morton’s neuroma diagnosis involves several steps, combining physical exams and, in some cases, imaging tests. Doctors focus on understanding your symptoms and using specific techniques to confirm the diagnosis. Key steps in diagnosing Morton’s neuroma include:

Patient History

• The first step in Morton’s neuroma diagnosis is understanding your symptoms. Your doctor will ask when the pain started, where it’s located, what worsens it, and if you’ve experienced any numbness, tingling, or burning. This helps pinpoint the problem.

Physical Exam

• During the exam, your doctor will press between your toes to check for tenderness and locate the affected nerve. You may feel increased pain or a clicking sensation, known as Mulder’s click when the foot is squeezed.
• The doctor squeezes the sides of the foot to compress the nerve between the metatarsal bones. If this causes sharp pain, the results confirm a positive diagnosis.
• The doctor might observe how you walk to check for alignment issues or abnormal foot pressure, which could contribute to your symptoms. (Gait Analysis)

Imaging Tests

• Ultrasound is often the first imaging test used in Morton’s neuroma diagnosis. It provides a clear image of the soft tissues and shows any thickening around the nerve.
• MRI offers detailed images and is often used when the diagnosis is unclear. This test shows both soft tissue and bone and helps rule out other conditions like stress fractures or arthritis.

Diagnostic Features

• The doctor looks for pain between the toes, not in the entire foot. As it typically affects the space between the third and fourth toes.
• If the doctor detects a clicking sound or sensation when squeezing the foot, it strongly indicates the diagnosis.
• Doctors use imaging to rule out similar issues like stress fractures, arthritis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome.

10 Signs You May Have Morton’s Neuroma

Wondering if you are diagnosed with this condition? Look out for these ten signs:

1. Sharp pain in the ball of your foot.
2. Tingling in your toes.
3. Numbness between the toes.
4. A sensation like you’re stepping on a small rock.
5. Pain that worsens when wearing shoes.
6. Pain relief when removing shoes.
7. Difficulty walking or limping due to discomfort.
8. Burning pain between the toes.
9. Worsening pain with prolonged standing.
10. Swelling or inflammation in the affected area.

Note: In case you notice these symptoms, especially in combination, it may be time to seek medical attention.

How Do You Know If You Have Morton’s Neuroma?

While you should visit a foot doctor Scottsdale for an official diagnosis, there are a few checks you can do at home. Although they won’t give you a definitive answer, they can help you decide if you should seek medical advice:

• Toe Pinch Test: Squeeze the area between your toes. If pain increases, the condition is present.
• Shoe Test: Take note of your symptoms while wearing tight shoes. If the pain gets worse in narrow shoes and better when you remove them, it might point to Morton’s neuroma.
• Toe Spread: Try to spread your toes apart. If it’s painful or difficult, this could be another sign.

What Is the Best Test for Morton’s Neuroma?

The best test for diagnosing Morton’s neuroma is an MRI. It provides a detailed view of both soft tissue and nerves, helping to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. While ultrasound is also effective and commonly used, MRI offers more precise imaging, especially in complex cases.

What Can Be Mistaken for Morton’s Neuroma?

Some foot conditions share very similar symptoms, which makes a correct diagnosis crucial. A foot specialist rules out other similar conditions through careful examination and imaging tests for an accurate Morton’s neuroma diagnosis. These conditions include:

• Metatarsalgia, which causes pain in the ball of the foot right at the same place.
• Stress fracture that includes tiny cracks in the bones of the foot and can cause pain similar to nerve issues.
• Arthritis or Bursitis which can cause inflammation in the joints and mimic neuroma symptoms.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome which affects a different nerve but can cause burning or tingling in the foot.

What Is Morton’s Neuroma Treatment?

Morton’s neuroma diagnosis and its treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. We usually start with conservative approaches, but surgery is an option to remove the affected nerve and provide long-term relief. Check out Neuroma relief in Scottsdale, Arizona to learn more about the treatments and surgery.

What Size Morton’s Neuroma Requires Surgery?

Morton’s neuromas larger than 5mm in size are considered more likely to require surgery, especially if conservative treatments have failed. However, the decision isn’t solely based on size. Factors such as the severity of symptoms, how long you’ve had the condition, and how much it affects your daily life also play a role in determining whether surgery is necessary.

What Kind of Doctor Treats Morton’s Neuroma?

After Morton’s neuroma diagnosis, a podiatrist or foot and ankle specialist can treat this condition. These doctors specialize in foot and ankle problems and have experience diagnosing and treating nerve-related issues in the foot. If needed, they can refer you to an orthopedic surgeon for more advanced treatments, like surgery.

Morton’s Neuroma Exercises

Certain exercises help ease the pain and help you manage the condition when diagnosis of Morton’s Neuroma is confirmed. Here are a few you can try:

• Spread your toes apart and hold the position for a few seconds. This helps stretch the muscles and relieve pressure on the nerve.
• Roll a tennis ball under the arch of your foot for a few minutes. This gentle massage can reduce tension and pain.
• Stretching your calf muscles helps improve foot alignment and reduce pressure on the ball of your foot.

Accurate Morton’s Neuroma Diagnosis in Arizona

If you think you may have Morton’s neuroma, contact us at Foot and Ankle Specialty Centers today. Call us at (480) 812-3668 or visit our website to schedule your appointment so we can help you get back to living without pain.

Conclusion

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that requires early diagnosis for effective treatment. Understanding the symptoms and seeking professional evaluation is key to preventing the condition from worsening. With the right combination of a physical exam and imaging tests, doctors can provide an accurate diagnosis of Morton’s Neuroma and recommend the most suitable treatment plan to relieve pain and improve foot function.

FAQs

Is walking bad for Morton’s neuroma?

Walking, especially in tight shoes, can worsen the pain. Shoes with wider toe boxes help ease discomfort.

Is it good to massage Morton’s neuroma?

Yes, gentle massage can help relieve pain, but avoid pressing too hard on the nerve.

What happens if you ignore Morton’s neuroma?

Ignoring the condition leads to chronic pain and permanent nerve damage. Early treatment prevents long-term issues.