Many patients will massage their foot after removing the shoes. A neuroma may be the result of an injury to the foot. The traumatic event might just be the result of shoes. Most of the time there is no recollection of any injury. A diagnosis of neuroma is based on the symptoms described by the patient and a good clinical exam.
Tenderness is reproduced when specific areas of the foot are touched.
The clinical exam will rule out other disorders, which may be present with similar symptoms. Stress fractures, metatarsalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic neuropathy and referred pain from the back are just a few conditions, which cause foot pain. Treatment begins with conservative padding and strapping of the foot. Orthotic devices, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, steroid injections and the changing of shoe types are used in treating Morton's neuroma. In chronic cases, surgical excision of the involved nerve mass provides the best relief from this painful condition.