Over the coming weeks I will be going through common foot conditions that many people suffer sometime in their lives. Today’s includes the common foot conditions of Morton’s Neuroma and Bunion…
Morton’s Neuroma
This is a condition that manifests itself as sharp burning pain which radiates into the toes, usually between the third and fourth toes. It is due to hypertrophy (enlargement) of a digital nerve which becomes entrapped and undergoes compressive forces against the deep transverse ligament which traverses the forefoot.
This condition can be reasonably easily diagnosed by pressing on the foot which elicits a click (Mulder’s Click), and of course the unique symptoms this condition presents
Investigations
This can be done by ultrasound or MRI scanning, ultrasound, where the overgrown nerve can be visualized, in a clinic situation positive Mulder’s Click. The latter is easily undertaken in an osteopathic setting where the forefoot is drawn together to see if a click can be elicited.
Treatment
Should someone attend with this problem, there are a variety of ways in treating this: Acupuncture, Osteopathic manipulative treatment, orthoses can be of help. However, if these don’t work then steroidal injections can help reduce symptoms and then surgery can be used to remove the fibroconnective tissue.
Hallux Valgus (Bunion)
This is where people have a bump on the big toe, with some deviation to the side. There is usually pain associated on the inside of the toe and because of pressure symptoms
Orthoses do not help this condition, and the only suitable treatment for this condition is surgery. However, Acupuncture can help reduce pain and may well enable the person to continue normal movement
Ref: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007809.pub2/abstract