What are the symptoms of Morton neuroma? Usually there are no external signs of this condition, the following symptoms may be felt in patients: - You feel that there is a pebble in your shoe. - There is a burning pain in the area of the sole of the foot that may extend to the toes. - There is tingling or numbness in the toes. - In addition to these symptoms, you may notice pain relief after removing the shoes and massaging. If your pain and burning persists for more than a few days, it is better to see a pain specialist so that necessary and timely examinations can be done. What is the cause of Morton neuroma?. It seems that this disease occurs in response to irritation, pressure or damage to one of the nerves leading to the fingers. Risk factors in the development of Morton's neuroma The factors that play a role in causing this complication in the foot are as follows: ### Using high-heeled shoes; Wearing high heels, tight and inappropriate shoes can put a lot of pressure on the feet. ### special activities; Participating in certain sports activities such as running or jumping may expose your feet to repeated injuries... Activities that require you to wear tight shoes, such as skiing and rock climbing, can put pressure on your toes. ### Foot abnormalities... People who have bunions, hammertoes or flat soles are more at risk of developing this disease than others. How to diagnose Morton neuroma disease In order to diagnose this disease, the patient's description, physical tests and imaging such as ultrasound and MRI can be used. ### Imaging tests Some of the tests that are effective in diagnosing this disease are as follows: #### X-rays To rule out other possible causes such as stress fracture, this method is considered. #### Ultrasound Using this method, internal structures are identified.... Ultrasound is very good for identifying soft tissue abnormalities such as neuroma. #### MRI Using radio waves and a strong magnetic field, it is useful for identifying soft tissues. What is the treatment of Morton neuroma? Our legs are responsible for bearing the weight of the body, finally excess weight aggravates this disease.... If you are overweight, try to reach your ideal weight starting today. In general, treatment varies depending on the severity of symptoms... The doctor will likely consider non-invasive or minimally invasive solutions for the patient. ### Non-invasive methods Wear shoes that have enough space around the feet and toes.... Using foot pads such as metatarsal pads that are placed inside the shoe and help reduce pressure on the nerve is also effective. ### Surgery and other methods If initial treatments don't work, your doctor may suggest the following: - injection of steroid drugs in the painful area can be very useful. -Surgeons can relieve pressure on the nerve by cutting nearby structures, such as the ligaments that connect some of the bones in the front of the foot. - If other treatments are not effective in relieving the pain, a solution to remove the nerve is considered... Although this surgery provides pain relief, it can lead to permanent numbness in the affected fingers. Home remedies Care tips that you can do at home are as follows: ### Take anti-inflammatory drugs Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can reduce swelling and lead to pain relief. ### Do an ice massage Frequent massage with ice helps to reduce pain, you can wrap the ice water bottle around the towel and use it for massage. ### Change your shoes Instead of using tight shoes, use shoes with wider and deeper toes. ### Rest your feet For a few weeks, minimize activities such as running, aerobics, or dancing that put pressure on the feet. Exercises for Morton neuroma Morton neuroma improves by resting the leg, and if the patient can do stretching and strengthening exercises, it may help to maintain and improve strength in the leg. Stretching exercises in the calf, Achilles tendon and fascia along the leg can be a good exercise... The important thing is that you should start your exercises slowly so that the nerve does not become inflamed again. Some simple exercises are as follows: ### Stretching exercises in the plantar fascia Place the towel on the floor and place your foot on the bottom of the towel, gather the towel with your toes and pull it down... You can also place a weight on the towel. ### Big toe stretching exercises Sit on the floor and wrap an exercise band around the big toe....extend your leg and using the exercise band, gently pull the foot back. then move the big toe forward....repeat this exercise thrice....for more information read the article Deadly shooting pains in the tip of the toes.... ### Using the ball Place a golf ball or a ball of its size under your feet and roll it under your feet for 1 minute. Research has shown that exercise, massage and mobility of the affected joint can help control pain and provide the best results. Tips to prevent Morton neuroma To avoid this complication, you can pay attention to these points: - Do not wear tight shoes or high heels for a long time to experience less heel pain. - Wear shoes with wide toes so that your toes are not cramped. - When you are more active, buy sports shoes that have a suitable sole. - You should have an ideal weight.. because extra weight puts more pressure on your legs. - People who are athletes should talk to their trainer to consider exercises to put less stress on the foot and also to consider exercises that lead to foot recovery.