The Foot Doctor - Dr. Ronald Gmerek
  • About Us
    • Dr. Ronald Gmerek
    • Meet the Staff
    • Our Office
    • Patient Reviews
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Ingrown Toenail
    • Foot Pain >
      • Bunions
      • Hammer Toe
      • Heel Pain
      • Claw Toe
      • Arch Pain
      • Achilles Tendinitis
      • Heel Spurs
      • Mallet Toe
      • Metatarsalgia
      • Morton’s Neuroma
      • Foot Pain Management
      • Morton’s Toe
      • Plantar Fasciitis
      • Arthritis
    • Foot Health >
      • Diabetic Foot Care
      • Poor Foot Circulation
      • Geriatric Foot Care
      • Orthotics
      • Gout
      • Pediatric Foot Care
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Wound Care
    • Broken Bones and Injuries >
      • Achilles Tendon Rupture
      • Foot and Ankle Fracture Repair
      • Lisfranc Injury
      • Sprained Ankle
      • Stress Fractures
      • Turf Toe
      • Calcaneal Fractures
      • Toe and Forefoot Fractures
      • Pilon Fractures of the Ankle
      • Talus Fractures
    • Surgical Procedures >
      • Achilles Surgery
      • Arthritis Surgery
      • Cyst Removal
      • Flat Foot Correction
      • Heel Surgery
      • Metatarsal Surgery
      • Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
    • Foot and Ankle Disorders >
      • Bone Disorders >
        • Osteomyelitis
        • Bone Deformities
        • Bone Tumors
      • Joint Disorders >
        • Osteoarthritis
        • Hallux Varus
        • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Nerve Disorders >
        • Entrapment Neuropathy
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Skin Disorders >
        • Athlete's Foot
        • Callus and Corns
        • Fungal Nail Infections
        • Plantar Warts
    • Foot Deformities >
      • Clubfoot
      • Flatfoot
      • High Arch
  • Patient Resources
    • Make a Payment
    • Patient Reviews
    • Patient Education Videos
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance
    • Useful Links
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Office Locations
    • Henrietta/Pittsford Location
    • Avon Location
    • Geneseo Location

Morton’s Neuroma


Mortons neuroma - foot doctor - podiatrist
Patient Education Videos​
What Is a Neuroma?
 
A neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that may develop in various parts of the body. The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton’s neuroma, which occurs between the third and fourth toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal neuroma. Intermetatarsal describes its location in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones. Neuromas may also occur in other locations in the foot.

The thickening of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates enlargement of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage.


​​Causes
Anything that causes compression or irritation of the nerve can lead to the development of a neuroma. One of the most common offenders is wearing shoes that have a tapered toe box or high-heeled shoes that cause the toes to be forced into the toe box. People with certain foot deformities—bunions, hammertoes, flatfeet or more flexible feet—are at higher risk for developing a neuroma. Other potential causes are activities that involve repetitive irritation to the ball of the foot, such as running or court sports. An injury or other type of trauma to the area may also lead to a neuroma.

Symptoms
If you have a Morton’s neuroma, you may have one or more of these symptoms where the nerve damage is occurring:
  • Tingling, burning or numbness
  • Pain
  • A feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot
  • A feeling that there is something in the shoe or a sock is bunched up

The progression of a Morton’s neuroma often follows this pattern:
  • The symptoms begin gradually. At first, they occur only occasionally when wearing narrow-toed shoes or performing certain aggravating activities.
  • The symptoms may go away temporarily by removing the shoe, massaging the foot or avoiding aggravating shoes or activities.
  • Over time, the symptoms progressively worsen and may persist for several days or weeks.
  • The symptoms become more intense as the neuroma enlarges and the temporary changes in the nerve become permanent.

Diagnosis
To arrive at a diagnosis, the foot and ankle surgeon will obtain a thorough history of your symptoms and examine your foot. During the physical examination, the doctor attempts to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating your foot. Other tests or imaging studies may be performed.
​
The best time to see your foot and ankle surgeon is early in the development of symptoms. Early diagnosis of a Morton’s neuroma greatly lessens the need for more invasive treatments and may help you avoid surgery.

Nonsurgical Treatment
In developing a treatment plan, your foot and ankle surgeon will first determine how long you have had the neuroma and will evaluate its stage of development. Treatment approaches vary according to the severity of the problem.
​
For mild to moderate neuromas, treatment options may include:
  • Padding. Padding techniques provide support for the metatarsal arch, thereby lessening the pressure on the nerve and decreasing the compression when walking.
  • Icing. Placing an icepack on the affected area helps reduce swelling.
  • Orthotic devices. Custom orthotic devices provided by your foot and ankle surgeon provide the support needed to reduce pressure and compression on the nerve.
  • Activity modifications. Activities that put repetitive pressure on the neuroma should be avoided until the condition improves.
  • Shoe modifications. Wear shoes with a wide toe box and avoid narrow-toed shoes or shoes with high heels.
  • Medications. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Injection therapy. Treatment may include injections of cortisone, local anesthetics or other agents.


When Is Surgery Needed?
Surgery may be considered in patients who have not responded adequately to nonsurgical treatments. Your foot and ankle surgeon will determine the approach that is best for your condition. The length of the recovery period will vary depending on the procedure performed.
​
Regardless of whether you have undergone surgical or nonsurgical treatment, your surgeon will recommend long-term measures to help keep your symptoms from returning. These include appropriate footwear and modification of activities to reduce the repetitive pressure on the foot.

Additional Services

  • Foot Pain
  • Foot Health​
  • Broken Bones & Injuries​
  • Surgical Procedures
  • Foot & Ankle Disorders​
  • Foot Deformities​

Patient Reviews
Book Appointment

Additional Conditions and Treatments

Foot Pain
Foot Pain
Foot Health
Foot Health
Broken Bones & Injuries
Broken Bones & Injuries
Surgical Procedures
Surgical Procedures

Book Your Appointment Today

Book Appointment

Choose Your Preferred Location
Click Here to sign up for emails from The Foot Doctor   
​

Henrietta / Pittsford

​1200 JEFFERSON ROAD
ROCHESTER, NY 14623
(585) 226-9340 
phone
​(585) 235-1051 fax


Henrietta, Pittsford, Fairport, Penfield, Victor, Mendon, Brighton, Webster, Rush, Scottsville

Get Directions

Avon 

 102 GENESEE STREET 
AVON, NY 14414

(585) 226-9340 
phone
​(585) 235-1051 fax


Avon, Geneseo, Honeoye Falls, Lima, Rush, Caledonia, Lakeville, Livonia

Get Directions

Geneseo ​

128 MAIN STREET 
GENESEO, NY 14454
(585) 226-9340 
phone
​(585) 235-1051 fax

Geneseo, Avon, Piffard, Lakeville, Livonia, Leicester, Mt. Morris, Perry, Conesus, York, Warsaw​

Get Directions

The Foot Doctor Logo

The Foot Doctor - Dr. Ronald Gmerek
Phone: (585) 226-9340 
Fax: (585) 235-1051
Home | About Us | Services | Patient Resources| New Patients | Contact Us 
Privacy Policy • ©2023 The Foot Doctor 
Podiatry Website Design & Local SEO by Medical Site Solutions

the rochester foot doctor facebook
the rochester foot doctor twitter
  • About Us
    • Dr. Ronald Gmerek
    • Meet the Staff
    • Our Office
    • Patient Reviews
    • Blog
  • Services
    • Ingrown Toenail
    • Foot Pain >
      • Bunions
      • Hammer Toe
      • Heel Pain
      • Claw Toe
      • Arch Pain
      • Achilles Tendinitis
      • Heel Spurs
      • Mallet Toe
      • Metatarsalgia
      • Morton’s Neuroma
      • Foot Pain Management
      • Morton’s Toe
      • Plantar Fasciitis
      • Arthritis
    • Foot Health >
      • Diabetic Foot Care
      • Poor Foot Circulation
      • Geriatric Foot Care
      • Orthotics
      • Gout
      • Pediatric Foot Care
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Wound Care
    • Broken Bones and Injuries >
      • Achilles Tendon Rupture
      • Foot and Ankle Fracture Repair
      • Lisfranc Injury
      • Sprained Ankle
      • Stress Fractures
      • Turf Toe
      • Calcaneal Fractures
      • Toe and Forefoot Fractures
      • Pilon Fractures of the Ankle
      • Talus Fractures
    • Surgical Procedures >
      • Achilles Surgery
      • Arthritis Surgery
      • Cyst Removal
      • Flat Foot Correction
      • Heel Surgery
      • Metatarsal Surgery
      • Nerve Surgery (Neuroma)
    • Foot and Ankle Disorders >
      • Bone Disorders >
        • Osteomyelitis
        • Bone Deformities
        • Bone Tumors
      • Joint Disorders >
        • Osteoarthritis
        • Hallux Varus
        • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Nerve Disorders >
        • Entrapment Neuropathy
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Skin Disorders >
        • Athlete's Foot
        • Callus and Corns
        • Fungal Nail Infections
        • Plantar Warts
    • Foot Deformities >
      • Clubfoot
      • Flatfoot
      • High Arch
  • Patient Resources
    • Make a Payment
    • Patient Reviews
    • Patient Education Videos
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance
    • Useful Links
  • New Patients
  • Contact Us
  • Office Locations
    • Henrietta/Pittsford Location
    • Avon Location
    • Geneseo Location