Morton's Neuroma Specialist

Florida Foot and Ankle

Mark A. Matey, DPM

Podiatrist located in Jacksonville, FL

Do you have the sensation that there’s a painful lump at the base of your toes? There’s a good chance that you may be dealing with a Morton’s neuroma. At Florida Foot and Ankle, Mark Matey, DPM, routinely helps his Jacksonville, Florida, area patients, overcome the discomfort of this nerve condition, restoring pain-free movement. Dr. Matey uses minimally invasive techniques that utilize his vast experience as a Muskuloskeletal Sonographer to identify and isolate the damaged nerves so that he may inject medication directly into the diseased nerves without injury to the surrounding soft tissues. For help with your Morton’s neuroma, call one of the three locations in Jacksonville or Palm Coast, or use the online scheduling tool.

Morton's Neuroma Q & A

What is a Morton’s neuroma?

A neuroma describes the thickening of a nerve, which can happen throughout your body. Should it occur between your third and fourth toes, on the ball of your foot, it’s called a Morton’s neuroma.

The symptoms of a Morton’s neuroma include:

Pain (usually a burning sensation)
Tingling and/or numbness
The sensation that something is lodged inside your foot
A peculiar feeling that there’s something in your shoe, like a pebble

These symptoms can come and go, depending upon your footwear and the length of time you spend on your feet.

What causes a Morton’s neuroma?

Podiatric conditions of all kinds are frequently caused by footwear, and a Morton’s neuroma is no exception. Leading the charge in this regard are high heels and shoes with pointy toes.

As well, any activities that place higher-than-normal stresses on the balls of your feet, like running, can also lead to a Morton’s neuroma.

Rounding out the list of suspects are pre-existing conditions, such as:

Bunions
Hammertoes
High arches
Flat feet

The bottom line is that no matter how your Morton’s neuroma developed, if left untreated it can lead to permanent nerve damage, making a trip to Florida Foot and Ankle at the earliest signs of a problem a good idea.

How is a Morton’s neuroma treated?

When you first come in, Dr. Matey reviews your symptoms and takes a look at your foot. To help him gain a clearer picture of what’s going on inside, he often orders advanced imaging.

Once he confirms a Morton’s neuroma, Dr. Matey recommends a treatment plan based on the degree of the nerve involvement. In their early stages, Dr. Matey can successfully treat these types of neuromas using a conservative approach that includes:

Padding
Orthotics
Icing
Anti-inflammatory medications
Steroid injections
Regenerative medicine
Ethyl Alcohol Sclerosing Injections

You may also have to modify your footwear or your activities to allow time for your nerve to heal.

If your Morton’s neuroma has progressed beyond the help of conservative measures, Dr. Matey recommends a surgical solution in which he either decompresses the nerve or removes it altogether.

If you’re plagued by a Morton’s neuroma, call one of the three Florida Foot & Ankle locations or use the online booking tool.

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