Morton’s neuroma is an area of inflammation on a nerve in your foot. To be exact, it is an enlargement in the interdigital nerves between the metatarsal bones that connect your foot to your third and fourth toes. Some healthcare providers refer to Morton’s neuromas as intermetatarsal neuromas or interdigital neuromas.

This condition is painful, with patients often feeling as though they have a marble stuck in their shoe. If you have Morton’s neuroma, the affected nerve is thickened and swollen. This can make it painful or hard to walk. There can also be stinging, burning, and numbness in nearby, affected toes.

The exact cause of Morton’s neuroma has yet to be identified, but high-heeled or tight shoes have been linked to their development. Many people experience relief by switching to lower-heeled shoes with wider toe boxes.

The term “neuroma” can be slightly misleading, as neuromas usually refer to benign growths that can develop on nerves throughout the body. In the case of Morton’s neuroma, it is actually just a thickening of the existing nerve. They are neither a symptom of cancer nor a cause of cancer.

Unfortunately, they are still a painful burden that experts estimate as many as 1 in 3 people will have to deal with at some point in their lives.

Traditionally, treatment for this painful condition has included over the counter anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and sometimes corticosteroid injections or surgery. As with any of these options, there are risks and limitations. Corticosteroid injections can only be administered a few times per year, and, like NSAIDs, largely just manage pain. Surgery also has inherent risks.

Still, without prompt treatment, Morton’s neuroma can cause long-lasting nerve damage.

Shockwave Therapy for Morton’s Neuroma

Shockwave therapy devices can effectively treat Morton’s neuroma with little to no side effects. For many patients, this will be preferable, as it is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option. By targeting the neuroma with high-intensity acoustic pressure waves, shockwave therapy devices can accelerate healing, stimulating the metabolism and enhancing blood circulation to the affected area.

The Evidence

According to a recent, randomized, placebo-controlled study, shockwave therapy is effective for reducing pain in patients with this condition.

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of shockwave therapy for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma by measuring changes in patient pain, function, and neuroma size.

In this study, patients with Morton’s neuroma were randomly assigned to either a group that received shockwave therapy or a sham stimulation group.

Outcome measures included a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser toes scores (AOFAS). Patients were assessed at baseline and 1 and 4 weeks after treatment. The Johnson satisfaction test was also performed 1 and 4 weeks after treatment. The neuroma diameter was measured using ultrasonography at baseline and 4 weeks after treatment.

Patients receiving shockwave therapy exhibited significantly decreased VAS scores 1 and 4 weeks after treatment relative to baseline, and AOFAS scores were significantly improved 4 weeks after treatment relative to baseline. Conversely, in the sham stimulation group, VAS and AOFAS scores showed no significant changes at any time after treatment.

This evidence holds promise for the use of shockwave therapy as a viable treatment option for this common, yet painful, condition.

For more information about shockwave therapy and Shockwave Canada’s wide range of shockwave therapy machines, please visit: www.shockwavecanada.ca.