Morton’s Neuroma Vs Fibromyalgia

by Naomi Prex Arbaa, MD

The pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia are typically prevalent, meaning that they affect lots of diverse joints and muscles in the body. Most of the time, the pain is in tender points located all around the body, which makes even the everyday tasks extremely painful. Persons with fibromyalgia may also suffer with the pain and other symptoms of conditions in some cases that are linked with fibromyalgia, such as fibromyalgia and Morton’s Neuroma.

What is Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s Neuroma is a pain condition that affects your feet and toes. A growth of tissue develops in Morton’s Neuroma over one of the nerves running from your feet into your toes. This growth can cause inflammation and pain whenever you use your foot. Morton’s Neuroma typically develops in the space between the third and fourth toes, even though it can also form between the second and third toes. When you walk, the bones and ligaments in the top of your foot press down on this growth, causing pressure and pain.

Signs of Morton’s neuroma

  1. Worsening pain from applying pressure or wearing shoes
  2. Numb or tingling sensations in the toes or the ball of your foot
  3. Frequent urge to take off your shoe and massage your foot
  4. The toes closest to the pain starting to spread 
  5. Burning or shooting pain in the toes or ball of your foot
  6. Feeling of a bulge or fullness between your toes
  7. Cramping of the toes or a clicking feeling when you walk
  8. Feeling that your toes are asleep 
  9. Feeling like you’re walking on a wrinkled or crumpled sock
  10. Curtailing your activities because of the pain, or your pain becoming worse over time

Causes of Morton’s Neuroma

At this moment, researchers say that the accurate cause of Morton’s Neuroma is not predictable. Most likely, there are a variety of factors that cause this condition to develop- including, but not limited to, conditions such as fibromyalgia. The list of the factors that could probably lead to the development of fibromyalgia and Morton’s Neuroma is as following.

1. Injuries to feet

If you hurt your foot, it can cause you to hold it in a poor or unnatural pose when you’re walking, which can lead to swelling in the nerves.

2. Genetics

There are some individuals that are born with feet that are poorly shaped. People who have low arches, known as flat feet, are much more prone to develop Morton’s Neuroma than other individuals.

3. Wearing shoes that don’t fit

When you wear shoes that don’t fit your feet properly, it can lead to pressure on your feet. This causes swelling around the nerves in your toes. It is thought high heels can contribute to Morton’s Neuroma as high heels cause most of your weight to be shifted onto the ball of your foot. When you participate in repetitive activities that are high impact such as walking, aerobics, and jogging, it can cause a lot of pressure to be placed on the feet- which could possibly lead to Morton’s Neuroma.

 

 

 

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Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma

Just as with fibromyalgia, the signs and symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma seem to come and go. Usually, they will be aggravated by wearing a certain type of shoe or by physical activity. Some of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia and Morton’s Neuroma are Sharp pains in the ball of your foot, a burning pain in your second, third, or fourth toes, radiating pain from your foot to the tips of your toes and Numbness in your toes.

Morton’s Neuroma and Fibromyalgia

There have been many orthopedic surgeons and researchers that have found a connection between fibromyalgia and Morton’s Neuroma. However, the reason the two are connected is not known. Still, it has been seen that treating Morton’s Neuroma can also help to reduce or even resolve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This leads researchers to think that injuries or nerve damage actually could be one of the causes of the pain of fibromyalgia. Morton’s Neuroma is an associated condition that is becoming more and more widespread among individuals with fibromyalgia. This is a condition that is characterized by severe pain in the feet, which makes any type of exercise or other activity that requires them to be on their feet extremely difficult. So far, there are numerous different treatments accessible to relieve the pain.

Morton’s Neuroma diagnosis

 In most cases, diagnosing fibromyalgia and Morton’s Neuroma involved your physician physically examining your foot. He or she will also discuss your symptoms with you and look at your feet and toes. He or she will do some manipulation of your toes, squeezing the spaces between and pushing them from side to side. This will allow him or her to see if there are any lumps under the soft tissue of your foot.

In addition, your doctor might eavesdrop for your bones making clicking sounds. These clicking sounds are known as Muldor’s Sign and is very common among those who are suffering from Morton’s Neuroma. Your doctor will want to do an MRI or x-ray in some cases to check for any sprains, fractures, or breaks in your foot.

Treatment of Morton’s Neuroma

People with Morton’s neuroma ought to change their footwear, take painkillers, or have steroid injections. Surgery may be needed in some cases to get rid of the affected nerve or release the pressure on it. Treatment depends on several factors like the severity of symptoms, how long they have been present and whether home treatment has been tried. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the less likely the person is to need surgery. If symptoms are brutal or constant, and self-help measures do not help, the doctor may advise:

Corticosteroids injections

To reduce swelling and pain a steroid medication is injected. Only a limited number of injections are advised, as there may be side effects. Hypertension high blood pressure and weight gain are some of side effects.

Alcohol sclerosing injections

Studies have shown that alcohol injections reduce the size of Morton’s neuromas as well as alleviating pain. Every 7 to 10 days injections are characteristically administered. Between four and seven injections are generally needed for maximum relief.

But if other therapies have not worked and symptoms persevere after 9 to 12 months, it surgery may be recommended. Surgery is generally helpful, but it can result in everlasting numbness in the affected toes. This is why doctors recommend trying other options first.

 

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References:

  • Is Morton’s Neuroma related to Fibromyalgia? via Fibromyalgia Treating
  • Is Morton’s Neuroma related to Fibromyalgia? via Mortons Neuroma

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» Best Footwear for Fibromyalgia Sufferers April 30, 2018 - 3:38 am

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