Shoes do a lot for us. They can protect our feet, lessening our worry of cuts and infection. But shoes also have an enormous impact on how our feet hit the ground and how our weight is distributed. High-quality footwear, which offers a lot of cushioning and support for the arch and heel, can keep our feet healthy and positively influence our gait. Ill-fitting shoes, on the other hand, can lead to foot issues such as bunions or hammertoe.
Another major consequence of wearing footwear that’s too tight or doesn’t fit well is Morton’s neuroma — a condition that compresses the nerves between your third and fourth toes, leaving you with thickened and inflamed nerve tissue.
Morton’s neuroma can be an especially uncomfortable and even painful condition, and your choice of footwear directly impacts your risk for it. Because of this, our team of podiatrists at Cortez Foot & Ankle Specialists wants to review how your footwear increases the likelihood of developing Morton’s neuroma and what to do about it.
One of the nerves in your lower back — the sciatic nerve — can get compressed if you spend too much time sitting down. Very similarly, the nerve between your third and fourth toes can also get compressed. When you wear shoes that are particularly pointed and narrow, they squeeze your toes together and compress the nerve as a result.
Common symptoms of this nerve compression include pain, discomfort, numbness, and tingling. It can also feel like you’ve got a pebble in your shoe or your sock is bunched up. Symptoms typically resolve with rest.
When you first notice symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, switch to shoes that have a low heel and wide toe box. If the discomfort and pain don’t subside, we offer treatments such as custom orthotics and steroid injections. Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can also help reduce symptoms.
In some cases, the nerve damage can be extensive, and conservative treatments may not be enough to provide relief. If this happens to you, we may need to surgically remove the neuroma.
No matter what treatment method you choose, you’ll still need to change your footwear. If you continue wearing shoes that compress your toes, the neuroma is likely to come back.
If you feel like you’re walking on pebbles constantly, don’t ignore it. Morton’s neuroma can become very painful if left untreated, and you may even end up with no option but surgery.
For Morton’s neuroma treatment, schedule an appointment with our team by calling the nearest office location or by booking online. We proudly serve the Bradenton, University Park, and Ellenton, Florida, areas.
