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Neuroma, or Morton’s Neuroma, is an enlarged, painful benign tumor of the inter-metatarsal nerve, usually between the 2nd and 3rd toes. It creates a sharp burning-type pain during periods of walking, especially on hard surfaces and when barefoot.
Excessive pressure on this nerve as you walk causes gradual inflammation, swelling, and a progressive increase in pain. It is the 2nd most common problem seen in a podiatrist’s office. Although it is commonly treated with cortisone and alcohol injection, metatarsal pads, and surgery , the best way to treat the cause it to decrease the pressure on this nerve by changing the way we walk.
Orthotics are used to change the way we walk and take the pressure off the inter-metatarsal nerve. If you change the way you walk just a little, expect just a little relief from the painful neuroma symptoms. If your orthotics can change the way you walk significantly, they can significantly decrease the pain and swelling of the nerve. Progressive theta treatment programs will improve the way you walk so much that often all of the neuroma pain goes away even with increased periods of ambulation.
Unfortunately, a high percentage of neuromas are treated surgically every day, re-growth, reoccurrence, incomplete resolution of symptoms, and stump neuromas that eventually involve both feet are very common. Cortisone injections are extremely painful, temporary, and potentially harmful when given repetitively. Anti-inflammatory’s are sometimes helpful at first but usually fall way short of the desired relief. Alcohol injections are expensive and have no documented value, while traditional orthotic treatment with 20 degrees or less theta correction frequently fails.
Progressive theta treatment programs can eliminate the pressure on the inter-metatarsal nerve caused by the way we walk and eliminate the progressive pain associated with the neuroma condition better than any other treatment I have used in the last twenty years of practice.
Do not accept a 50/50 chance of failure! Start your progressive theta treatment program today.
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