Custom orthotics for Morton’s neuroma on the Gold Coast.
Burning, shooting pain at the ball of the foot, sometimes with numbness in the toes? Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of one of the nerves between the toes, and custom orthotics with a specific design are one of the most effective conservative treatments available.
What Morton’s neuroma is — and how the right orthotic helps.
Morton’s neuroma is a thickening (perineural fibrosis) of one of the interdigital nerves between the metatarsal bones, usually between the third and fourth toes. As the nerve becomes thickened and irritated, it produces pain, burning, tingling and sometimes numbness in the affected toes. Walking, running and wearing tight or pointed shoes typically worsens symptoms; rest and barefoot walking on soft ground typically helps.
The mechanical cause is repeated compression of the nerve between the metatarsal heads, often from poor forefoot offloading or constrictive footwear. The right orthotic addresses this directly — a metatarsal dome positioned just behind the metatarsal heads spreads the metatarsals apart, relieves the compression on the nerve, and allows the inflammation to settle.
Custom orthotics for Morton’s are not the same as everyday orthotics. The dome position and height need to be specific to the location of your neuroma — too far forward or back and you’re not unloading the nerve. Off-the-shelf orthotics rarely have this precision.
Six elements of an orthotic designed for Morton’s neuroma.
Each of these contributes to actually unloading the nerve and resolving the symptoms.
Three steps from first visit to outcome.
