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Can Morton’s Neuroma Cause Neuropathy?

If you feel as walking on a marble or pebble at some instances and you experience persistent level of pain in the ball area of your feet or only one foot, you may dealing with the condition referred as Morton’s Neuroma. Neuroma is a nerve tumor in its benign form. Accordingly, Morton’s Neuroma is not exactly a tumor; instead, it indicates thickening of tissues, which surround digital nerves leading towards your toes (mainly third toe and fourth toe).

Can Morton’s Neuroma Cause Neuropathy?

Doctors say that diabetic patients suffering from Morton’s Neuroma are at relatively higher risk related to develop Diabetic Neuropathy during the later years of their life. However, there is no idea about the condition of other patients i.e. non-diabetic Morton’s Neuroma patients.

Key Facts on Morton’s Neuroma

  • Morton’s Neuroma takes place whenever the nerve passes beneath the ligament that connects metatarsals or toe bones present in your forefoot.
  • The problem develops frequently between your third toe and fourth toe often because of excessive pressure, physical trauma and irritation.
  • The incidence associated with this type of Neuroma is about 8 times to 10 times higher in women as compared to men.
  • As Neuroma is not a type of nerve tumor, you only experience burning sensation, pain or tingling across the affected area.

Introduction to Neuropathy and Diabetic Neuropathy

Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy is a term describing varieties of health problems, which involve damages caused to one’s peripheral nerves and various other related symptoms. The problem of neuropathy is common among diabetic patients. In this situation, doctors call the problem as diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic neuropathy refers to a specific type or form of nerve damage that takes place in diabetes patients. Spikes in blood glucose levels or high blood sugar often cause injury to the nerves connecting through the body. In most of the cases, diabetic neuropathy causes damages to your feet and legs’ nerves.

Morton’s Neuroma and Diabetic Neuropathy/Neuropathy

A majority of patients experiencing pain, inflammation or tingling sensation in the ball area of the foot ask a common question i.e. whether they have Morton’s neuroma or whether the problem leads to diabetic neuropathy. Thus, with the aim to give an appropriate answer to the mentioned query, experts have explained neuroma and diabetic neuropathy in detail based on mentioned signs and symptoms.

Neuroma

Neuroma indicates a benign form of tumor and it forms whenever small nerves present in your forefoot pinched between its metatarsal bones. Common symptoms in this case include cramping, numbness and tingling, burning or electrical type of shooting sensation towards the toes’ ends. The condition is common for both non-athletes and athletes.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy involves a nerve disorder, which takes place due to diabetes. Most of the individuals experiencing nerve damage do not experience any symptom, while others have symptoms in the form of tingling, pain or numbness with loss in their sensations.

Key Aspects of Diabetic Neuropathy

  • Diabetic neuropathies usually manifest in the feet and may constitute the first sign related to the development of diabetes mellitus.
  • If you experience neuropathy in its mild form, it goes unnoticed for many years. Even a few diabetic patients never develop the problem of neuropathy and do not have any symptom.
  • However, diabetic neuropathy symptoms, which manifest in the feet, include burning, tingling or numbness are different from those take place in case of Neuroma.
  • Diabetic patients usually get Neuroma problems due to tight shoes, normal walk and by participating in sports-related activities.
  • Prime concern associated with diabetic neuropathy involves loss of feeling in your limbs and poor blood circulation. This loss in feeling creates infected and ulcerated wound.

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic: “Morton’s neuroma” – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mortons-neuroma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351935
  2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): “Diabetic Neuropathy” – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/nerve-damage-diabetic-neuropathies

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 16, 2023

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