One of the most common forms of neuroma affects the feet and can prove painful in everyday life. Morton’s neuroma is a foot disorder that we often see here at Best Foot Doctor. Because of the frequency with which people in the NYC area wear uncomfortable footwear or high-heeled shoes, Morton’s neuroma has a high incidence rate in our area.
There are a few at-home remedies that may help relieve the pain caused by Morton’s neuroma. These include the following six treatment options.
- Rest and elevate the foot that has pain. The pain caused by Morton’s neuroma often presents as a feeling of stepping on a marble or as if your sock was bunched up inside your shoe.
- Ice the foot area with an ice pack or frozen peas (if no ice pack is available). You can try this for up to 20 minutes every hour for pain relief.
- Take over-the-counter medication to help reduce pain and inflammation in the foot.
- Swap out uncomfortable footwear for shoes that have a wide, roomy toe area. Any pressure from footwear on Morton’s neuroma can aggravate the condition and increase the pain involved with it.
- Use insoles or a soft padded footbed to lessen the impact your shoes have on your neuroma.
- If you are overweight, losing a few extra pounds can help take the pressure off your feet, giving them a chance to heal more quickly.
What Happens If Morton’s Neuroma is Not Treated?
Without treatment, this condition will often grow worse. For example, if tight or pointed shoes cause your Morton’s neuroma and you continue to wear them, the pain will continue to increase and may result in surgery becoming necessary. If you are suffering from this condition and the at-home remedies listed are not helping, it may be time to consult a doctor.
A podiatrist like Best Foot Doctor can help assess your condition and offer a treatment option to mitigate the pain and improve your situation. If you are located in the Queens, Brooklyn, or downtown NYC area, we would be happy to make an appointment to discuss options with you and understand the extent of your Morton’s neuroma symptoms.
With treatment, this condition will most likely improve. Still, without any adjustments to lifestyle or therapies (like those listed), you may cause additional stress and injury to your feet. This can result in a far worse condition than it may have been had you sought medical help sooner.
What Can A Podiatrist Do for Morton’s Neuroma?
In addition to understanding your condition and options, a podiatrist like Best Foot Doctor will be able to offer some in-office treatments not available to you at home. The four most common treatment options recommended by podiatrists are:
- Doctor-designed and prescribed orthotics or inserts
- Injections to relieve pain and inflammation
- Non-surgical treatments using heat or laser therapy
- Morton’s neuroma surgery (in severe cases)
If treated right away, Morton’s neuroma should not require surgery. However, it is essential to see a podiatrist as soon as possible if your symptoms are worsening or not responding to at-home treatment. Please give us a call to schedule your appointment with Best Foot Doctor to treat your Morton’s neuroma.