Morton's Neuroma
What is Morton's neuroma?
Also called Morton's neuralgia or metatarsalgia. Morton's neuroma is an irritation and thickening of a nerve in the front of the foot. The most common location is between the bases of toes 3 and 4, sometimes toes 2 and 3 (the big toe is considered number 1). We can see this relatively well with ultrasound diagnostics.
Why do people get Morton's neuroma?
There is some uncertainty about the cause of this diagnosis. The nerve between the bases of the toes is relatively cramped in this area. Increased stress on the front of the foot can trigger this type of problem.
Symptom
Morton's neuroma causes pain and often numbness in the toes in front of the neuroma and on the underside of the foot in the same area. The pain is often sharp in nature. When you put pressure on the area, you can often feel a clicking sound. If you wear shoes that are a little tight over the front of your foot, the pain can increase.
Treatment
We review the mobility of the foot. We try to relieve the nerve through shoe adjustments and/or anatomical shoe inserts. Manipulation of the metatarsal bones can reduce the discomfort. If the pain does not go away despite treatment and adjustment by a physiotherapist, the doctor can give a cortisone injection in the area. As a last resort, the swollen nerve can also be removed surgically.
What is bunion?
The name is Latin and means crooked big toe. This diagnosis usually begins with the transverse arch of the foot, which runs between the big toe and the little toe, becoming lower and lower. The front part of the foot then becomes wider and the big toe begins to be pulled in towards the other toes and becomes crooked.
Why do people get hallux valgus?
It is unclear what causes hallux valgus. Women are clearly overrepresented among those who suffer from this and it is most common for this to debut in middle age. Tight shoes have often been seen as the main cause of this, but there is currently no evidence for this. In countries where shoes are not used as often as here in the West, however, this is clearly less common. It can be seen that there is a heredity in getting hallux valgus.
Symptoms of hallux valgus
As the front part of the foot becomes wider, it can become difficult to find shoes that do not pinch and cause pain in the big toe joint. The pain that occurs depends on various causes. One of the main causes is the degree of misalignment in the metatarsal joint of the big toe. Another cause is inflammation that occurs in a bursa that sits over the metatarsal joint of the big toe due to mechanical pressure against it from the shoe. These patients are often more or less trouble-free when barefoot.
Treatment of hallux valgus
Our physiotherapists help the patient with the choice of shoes. We can also produce anatomical shoe inserts to relieve the big toe. The patient is instructed on how to apply self-adhesive foam plastic around the painful big toe joint to relieve pressure. The doctor can prescribe an anti-inflammatory course to remedy any inflammation in the bursa at the big toe joint. Surgery is performed as a last resort in cases of severe problems.
Prognosis
If you take care to relieve the toe from mechanical pressure from shoes that are too tight, the prognosis is good. If an operation has been performed, the prognosis is also good here.
What is Hallux rigidus?
Hallux rigidus is Latin and means stiff big toe. This means that you have osteoarthritis in the big toe's base joint, a wear and tear.
Why do you get Hallux rigidus?
It is unclear why you are affected by this, but as with osteoarthritis in general, there may be a hereditary background. Not infrequently there is a previous injury to the big toe joint that can be the basis for this. The most common onset is at the age of 50.
Symptoms
Increasing stiffness and pain in the base joint of the big toe. Stiffness especially when bending backwards in the joint (dorsiflexion). Especially pain in thin shoes or walking barefoot. Pain at rest may occur.
