Morton’s neuroma is a non-cancerous growth of the nerve fibers of the foot. It causes thickening of the nerve fibers usually involves third and fourth digits of the foot. It is caused by repeated injuries or trauma to the foot, ill-fitted shoes, high heels, and congenital foot abnormalities like a flat foot or high arches. It is often associated with other foot problems such as bunions or hammer toes. Its symptoms include swelling, pain, numbness, tingling sensation and burning in the foot. It can be managed with rest, right footwear, medicines, corticosteroid injections, and surgery.
Are Birkenstocks Good For Morton’s Neuroma?
Role Of Birkenstocks Shoes In Morton’s Neuroma
The biggest factor that can trigger overgrowth on the nerve fibers of the foot is shoes. Ill-fitted shoes and too-tight shoes can worsen the condition. Birkenstocks shoes are helpful to sort out this condition. It provides support to the metatarsal bones. It contains removable, latex and cork footbed that can reduce pain and discomfort caused due to Morton’s neuroma. It provides comfort and support to the foot.
Birkenstocks Arizona Soft Footbed is a type of sandal that has two-strap upper and metallic buckles. It has a soft footbed. It is an anatomically correct shoe that can give an exact shape to the foot with perfect fitting. It has cork and a soft bed that helps in getting a natural grip for the foot. It reduces nerve compression and pain. It acts as a shock absorber. It provides natural padding to the feet under the heel and disturbs weight of the body.
Morton’s neuroma is a thickening and swelling of nerve fibers in the foot. It usually develops in third or fourth toes. However, it can occur anywhere in the foot. It is also called intermetatarsal neuroma because of its location in between metatarsals roughly at the ball of the foot. The thickening of the nerve can be caused by compression or irritation of nerve fibers by adjacent tissues. This may cause permanent damage to the nerves and Morton’s neuroma. It is more commonly seen in middle-aged women.
Causes Of Morton’s Neuroma
The causes of Morton’s neuroma are-
- Repeated micro-trauma to the foot
- Prior surgery of the affected areas
- Use of Too-tight or ill-fitted shoes
- Use of shoes with high heels
- Repetitive injuries due to participation in sports like running, racquet sports or skiing
- Foot abnormalities such as the flat foot or high arches
- Associated complaints like bunions or hammer toes
Symptoms Of Morton’s Neuroma
The person with neuroma may have the following symptoms-
- A neuroma is small in size like a small grape
- It causes discomfort in the feet while moving.
- The patient may feel numbness or tingling in the affected area.
- He may also experience a burning sensation.
- It is painful.
- Its pain may radiate to adjacent fingers.
- The neuroma is usually formed in third or fourth digit of the foot
- It does not show symptoms of inflammation such as redness, heat or loss of range of motion.
Treatment For Morton’s Neuroma
- Resting the foot by avoiding excessive exercises or physical activities can improve the condition.
- Applying ice packs for 10-15 minutes in small intervals in a day can relieve the pain.
- Switching to rightly fitted shoes with shoe pads are helpful in this condition.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines reduce pain and swelling
- Corticosteroid injections are effective in the reduction of pain and swelling of the nerve fibers.
- Foot exercises can increase the strength of the tissues around the nerve fibers, thereby reducing pain and swelling.
Conclusion
Morton’s neuroma is a benign condition characterized by the thickening of nerve cells. It is caused due to ill-fitted and tight shoes. Birkenstocks shoes are good in Morton’s neuroma. It provides support to the foot, absorbs shocks and helps in weight distribution of the body.
- Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). Morton’s neuroma https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/mortons-neuroma-a-to-z
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2014). Foot and Ankle Conditioning Program https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/foot-and-ankle-conditioning-program
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