Athletes are prone to injuries because they lived in a very physical world that entails them to give a lot of effort and energy. Their injuries usually depend on the muscles they use and the nature of the sports they are active into. For example, runners are usually prone to foot and leg injuries because that is the body part that are greatly involved in their sport.

Any type of foot injury can have a negative effect on a runner’s performance. Dr. Jonathan Kletz is a podiatrist who specializes in helping people suffering from sports related foot injuries.

With this, we want to discuss one of the foot injuries that a runner experiences and that is what we call the Morton’s Neuroma. It causes pain on the ball of your foot behind the 3rd and 4th toes. This pain radiates towards the toes and sometimes numbness can be felt instead of pain.

Signs and symptoms:

• Pain on weight bearing
• Burning pain in the ball of your foot that sometimes radiates in your toes
• Numbness
• Paresthesia or a tingling, burning sensation is felt

Tests and diagnosis:

• Mulder’s Test – the doctor will put pressure on the affected site to see if there is pain. The pain may sometimes be accompanied by a “Mulder’s click”, a click that can be felt suggesting the presence of a Morton’s neuroma.
• Digital Nerve Stretch Test – both ankles are in their full dorsiflexion while the toes on both sides of the neuroma are manually extended.
• Foot x-ray
• Ultrasound
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treatments and drugs:

• Use arch supports and foot pads that will help reduce the pressure on the nerves.
• Have a personalized shoe insert that is made specifically to fit the contours of your foot.
• Drink anti-inflammatory medications such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain level.
• Use proper footwear. Avoid or limit the use of high-heeled shoes as well as tight closed shoes.
• Ice application to help reduce the pain.
• Reduce activities such as jogging and running for a few weeks.
• Steroid injections can also be done.
• Decompression surgery – this is done to relieve the pressure on the nerve by cutting structures such as ligaments surrounding the affected area.
• Nerve removal – removing the neuroma in a surgery may be necessary if all treatments fail. 

Texas Foot Works located in Dallas, Athens and Gun Barrell City, TX, we specialize in helping athletes with foot injuries.  To schedule an appointment, call 214-340-8885.