Morton’s neuroma refers to the chronic swelling (or thickening) of the tissue that surrounds the nerves between your third and fourth toes. It can cause burning sensations, pain, numbness, and the sensation that you’re walking on a pebble.
The podiatrists at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey are experts when it comes to diagnosing and treating Morton’s neuroma. The pain and discomfort of Morton’s neuroma can be alleviated through a variety of treatments in our Cherry Hill, New Jersey office, including prescription orthotics, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and ensuring you are wearing the proper footwear.
Regardless of which treatments you receive, it’s important to know that lifestyle habits can continue to make your neuroma better ー or worse. In this blog, we highlight the lifestyle habits that make Morton’s neuroma worse.
High-heeled shoes (especially ones with a narrow toe bed) can make a neuroma worse by squeezing your toes and forcing your foot into an unnatural position.
Narrow shoes that come to a point (whether they have a high or low heel) can also wreak havoc on your feet. Too-pointy shoes squeeze the ball of your foot and can also make a neuroma (and the resulting pain) worse.
Being overweight can increase your risk of developing a neuroma, according to the experts at Harvard Health. In general, being overweight puts added stress on your feet and increases your risk of tendon inflammation, arthritis in your feet, and plantar fasciitis. Skipping your workout and not maintaining a healthy weight can make your current neuroma worse.
If you know you have a neuroma, adopt lifestyle habits that help you maintain a healthy weight. This includes regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet.
Athletes who routinely wear footwear that restricts their foot are more at risk of developing Morton’s neuroma. Soccer shoes, rock climbing shoes, skiing boots, tennis shoes, and golf shoes are more restrictive than others. Wearing the wrong type ー and the wrong size ー of athletic shoes can make your symptoms worse. When purchasing new shoes, always get the right type of shoe for the sport you play and opt for the professional fitting.
High-impact activities such as running, jumping, or HIIT workouts can take a toll on your feet. You don’t have to give up high-impact activities, but you might consider alternative high-impact activities with low-impact activities. Walking, swimming, and yoga are all low-impact.
Even if you adopt healthy lifestyle habits, it’s possible that you continue to struggle with Morton’s neuroma. If conservative options don’t provide the relief you need, our experienced podiatrists can perform decompression surgery to alleviate the pressure on your nerves.
To learn more about your treatment options, schedule an appointment at Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey today by calling 856-266-9572.
