Morton's neuroma, also called Morton's metatarsalgia, Morton's disease, Morton's neuralgia, Morton metatarsalgia, Morton nerve entrapment, plantar neuroma, or intermetatarsal neuroma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of nerve tissue (neuroma) that develops in the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes (an intermetatarsal plantar nerve, most commonly of the third and fourth intermetatarsal spaces). It is a common, painful condition.
Put simply - Morton's neuroma is a swollen (inflamed) nerve in the ball of the foot, commonly between the base of the second and third toes.
Patients experience numbness and pain in the affected area, which is relieved by removing footwear and/or massaging the foot.
A neuroma is a tumor that arises in nerve cells - a benign growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of the body. In Morton's neuroma the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes thickens, causing a sharp, burning pain in the ball of the foot. A sharp severe pain, often described as a red hot needle may come on suddenly while walking. There may also be numbness, burning and stinging in the toes.
Although it is labeled a neuroma, many say it is not a true tumor, but rather a perineural fibroma (fibrous tissue formation around nerve tissue).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179773.php
Thanks for the information Lynn, it is much appreciated!Thanks Lynn. I've had a Morton's neuroma for almost a year now and it's put a serious crimp on my lifestyle. I'm currently treating it with prescription ibprofen and icing, hoping to fix it without painful injections. Surgery is a last resort but the pain is so bad with every foot step that I'm actually considering it after this many months.
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