Morton’s Neuroma Treatments

A morton’s neuroma is a type of nerve injury that takes place in between the third and fourth metatarsal bones of the foot. It is commonly associated with the twisting of the foot which results to the entrapment of the nerve. Tight shoes also contribute to the acquisition of the injury among athletes and regular individuals alike. Prevention and the addressing of the root cause of the problem should be undertaken as soon as possible in order to make sure that the injury does not reoccur from time to time.

The best thing about this problem is that it is not difficult to treat. Especially when caught at an early stage, most patient recover at a fast pace unlike with other types of injuries. There are a few methods that are successfully utilized in a morton’s neuroma. If you are suffering from this type of injury, make sure that you have a good doctor who is experienced and skilled in treating nerve damages.

At the onset of pain and discomfort, immobilize your foot in such a position where the aching and swelling is under control. Rest your foot for a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks or as suggested by a medical professional. Ask your doctor for pain killers and anti-inflammatory medications if the condition is intolerable. NSAIDs are usually recommended on such situations as the doctors handling such cases know the painful condition being experienced by the patients. You can use crutches to help you walk with support if you need to go somewhere. The application of ice packs on the affected area is also a good way of preventing further aggravation of the injury. This is known as cold therapy or cold compress which is a part of the conservative treatment method used world-wide. Do not experiment on the treatment(s) especially if you do not have a background or knowledge in medical care as this can worsen the situation and condition.

Sports massage, stretching, and strengthening exercises are also part of the treatment process. They are however more popularly known as rehabilitation programs as they are usually conducted at the offset of pain. It is impossible to conduct these on a patient who is still suffering from the painful experience as their body would not permit them to execute the exercises or receive the massage. Stretching and strengthening programs are very good at keeping the body fit in order to prevent the reoccurrence of the injury. Sports massage at the same time provides an enhanced body and mind.

Decompression and resection are both part of the morton’s neuroma surgery which is usually done if the natural treatment fails in providing solution to the injury. It is not a common procedure though as surgery cases are quite rare. Decompression is used when extra space is required in order for the nerve to heal properly. Resection on the other hand is done when a part of the nerve is eliminated or removed from that area. Although surgery is quite expensive as compared to the ordinary procedures, the success rate is much higher especially on critical cases.