If You’re Dealing With Worsening Morton's Neuroma, Our El Paso Podiatrists Can Help
It feels like there’s a pebble in your shoe or your sock is bunched up—and you’ve got a tingling, burning sensation that just won’t go away. There’s no doubt that living with Morton's neuroma can be a frustrating experience—especially when it seems to be getting worse despite treatment.
At The Foot Institute in El Paso, we understand your pain and are committed to helping you find treatments that truly work. Let's explore why your condition might be deteriorating and what steps you can take to find relief from your foot and ankle pain.
Why Your Morton’s Neuroma Might Not Be Responding to Treatment
Morton's neuroma, a thickening of the tissue around a nerve in your foot, can be tricky to manage. This painful foot problem is most common in women ages 35 to 50, and multiple factors could contribute to your discomfort.
Misdiagnosis
Morton's neuroma shares symptoms with several other foot conditions, such as metatarsalgia, stress fractures, or intermetatarsal bursitis. Each requires a different treatment approach. For instance, a stress fracture might be mistaken for Morton's neuroma, but it requires rest and possibly immobilization rather than neuroma-specific treatments.
At The Foot Institute, our podiatrists use advanced diagnostic techniques, including physical examinations, imaging studies, and careful consideration of your symptoms, to ensure an accurate diagnosis for every patient who walks through our doors. This precision is essential for developing an effective treatment plan. Typically, we’ll recommend an MRI if your Morton’s neuroma seems to be worsening to ensure that your initial diagnosis is correct.
Inadequate Treatment
Every case of Morton's neuroma is unique, and what works for one person may not be effective for another. For example, if your initial treatment plan was limited to shoe modifications or over-the-counter pain relievers, it might not have addressed the full extent of your condition. A comprehensive approach often involves a combination of treatments, such as custom orthotics, targeted physical therapy, and possibly more advanced interventions like corticosteroid injections or minimally invasive surgical procedures.
We develop personalized, multi-faceted treatment plans that evolve based on your response and progress. Even if you’ve seen other doctors in the past for your chronic foot pain and found no relief, we’re here to help.
Lifestyle Factors
Your daily habits play a significant role in the progression of Morton's neuroma. Footwear that squeezes your toes or puts excessive pressure on the ball of your foot can irritate the affected nerve, worsening your symptoms. Similarly, abruptly increasing your activity level—especially high-impact exercises like running or jumping—can strain the already sensitive area.
Our El Paso podiatrists provide guidance on lifestyle modifications as part of your care plan. We can recommend appropriate footwear, suggest alternative low-impact exercises, and offer advice on gradually increasing activity levels to support your recovery. Our goal is to provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your foot health, so don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Underlying Issues
Morton's neuroma rarely occurs in isolation. Typically, it's accompanied by or even caused by other foot conditions. For example, you might have an undiagnosed bunion that's altering your foot mechanics and putting extra pressure on the neuroma. Or perhaps you have flat feet, which can change how weight is distributed across your foot—potentially aggravating the neuroma and increasing your overall pain level.
At The Foot Institute, we take the time to understand your symptoms and identify any underlying issues that are leading to chronic foot and ankle pain. By addressing these concurrent problems, we can provide more effective relief for your Morton's neuroma while preventing future complications that could keep you from working, spending time with loved ones, exercising, or enjoying your favorite hobbies.
Stepping Towards a Pain-Free Future
If you're frustrated by worsening Morton's neuroma pain, it's time to seek expert help. Here's what you can expect when you visit our podiatrists:
- A comprehensive evaluation. We'll conduct a thorough assessment of your condition, considering your medical history and lifestyle factors that are known to lead to increased foot and ankle pain.
- Advanced diagnostics. We'll use cutting-edge imaging techniques to get a clear picture of what's happening inside your foot.
- Personalized treatment plan. Based on our findings, we'll create a tailored approach to address your specific needs and goals.
- Ongoing support. We'll be there to support you throughout your recovery—helping you to get back to leading a pain-free active lifestyle.