- 1. Remedies and infiltrations
- 2. How is Physiotherapy
- 3. When to do the surgery
- 4. Acupuncture
- 5. Home treatment
The treatment for Morton's Neuroma is to reduce pain, inflammation and compression in the painful area, which is usually sufficient for the person to be able to carry out their daily activities normally and can wear high heels eventually, when going to a party or dinner, where you don't have to stand for a long time.
In this type of treatment, which is always the first option, insoles can be used inside the shoes to better accommodate the chest and toes, it is very important to wear comfortable shoes that support the feet well, such as soft or running shoes or, at most, Anabela heels, restricting flat sandals, flip flops and high heels. When this is not enough it may be necessary to:
1. Remedies and infiltrations
Taking a pain reliever can be helpful if you are experiencing pain in your feet, but applying an anti-inflammatory ointment such as Cataflan is also a good option to relieve pain and discomfort. However, you should not take painkillers every day, or use this type of ointment for more than 1 month, as this indicates that the treatment is not having the expected result.
The orthopedist can give an injection with corticosteroids, alcohol or phenol, at the exact location of the pain, which achieves great results and the person is pain free for weeks or months. However, this type of injection should not be given more than once a year, and therefore, if the symptoms persist, it is recommended to do some physical therapy sessions.
2. How is Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy must be able to decrease pain, inflammation and improve movement and support of the foot, making the person able to perform their daily activities normally.
Although physical therapy is not able to completely eliminate the lump that has formed, it can decrease its size, relieving pain, and still manages to improve the anatomy of the foot, to prevent a new neuroma from forming. Some resources that can be used in physical therapy are:
- Ultrasound with anti-inflammatory gel, for about 5 minutes at the exact location of the foot pain. To better couple the device, you can place your foot in a bucket of water because it allows waves to pass to the neuroma; Mobilization of metatarsals and toes, to improve the mobility of all of them; Deep transverse massage to break the nerve fibrosis points; Exercises to strengthen the flexors and extensors of the toes with an elastic band; Proprioceptive exercises such as maintaining balance on a cylindrical surface, for example; Elongation of the plantar fascia, which is a tissue that internally covers all structures of the foot; Crochet technique, which is a type of hook that is effective in eliminating nerve fibrosis, through small movements with the hook at the neuroma site; Use of an ice pack or cryoflow to cool the entire region, fighting inflammatory signs and pain; Relaxing foot massage to finish the physiotherapy treatment; Global postural reeducation sessions to correct realign the whole body, allowing to correct changes in the anatomy of the foot.
This is just one example of physical therapy treatment, because the physiotherapist can choose other techniques and equipment to promote control of pain and symptoms. However, sessions must be held at least 3 times a week, with a minimum duration of 30 minutes each.
3. When to do the surgery
Surgery is the last option for the treatment of Morton's Neuroma, being indicated when the person has already tried other treatments without success. Surgery is one of the best choices to cure the neuroma because it is the only treatment that completely eliminates the lump that formed in the nerve, however, surgery does not prevent another neuroma from forming, being important to work together with physiotherapy.
The orthopedist must choose which technique he can use to remove the neuroma and indicate what the person can do to recover faster. The surgery is done with local anesthesia and takes about 1 hour, being necessary to stay in the recovery room for observation and to rest with the foot elevated, which facilitates healing.
Before surgery you must inform the doctor of all the medicines you are taking to prevent bleeding. See other precautions you should take before and after surgery.
4. Acupuncture
Acupuncture sessions are good alternative treatment options, being able to relieve pain and discomfort, when the person does not want to or cannot undergo surgery. Generally, sessions are held once a week, where the acupuncturist inserts small needles into the feet or into the body meridians as he deems necessary. This rebalances the body's energies, reduces tension, stress, in addition to relieving discomfort.
5. Home treatment
Placing a hot compress on the site of the pain and massaging the area is also a good way to feel better. Applying an ointment with camphor or arnica, which can be purchased at pharmacies or health food stores or in handling, can also be useful for massaging your feet after bathing, before bed. See step by step how to do a relaxing foot massage.
