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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. Your doctor will likely recommend trying conservative approaches first. This may include resting your foot, changing to better-fitting shoes, trying foot orthotics (arch supports) and taking over-the-counter medications to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
If your pain is severe or persistent, or conservative approaches aren't working, your doctor may recommend:
- Corticosteroid injections. Steroids are medications that reduce inflammation. An injection of a corticosteroid medication in the area of the neuroma may reduce pain. However, overuse of injected steroids can lead to a number of side effects, including weight gain and high blood pressure, so people usually receive only a limited number of injections.
- Alcohol injections. Diluted alcohol injections are a new and promising treatment option for Morton's neuroma. According to two 2007 studies in the American Journal of Roentgenology and the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, alcohol injections have been shown to improve pain and decrease the size of Morton's neuroma in study participants. However, because alcohol injections are still a new therapy for Morton's neuroma, many health care providers don't yet offer this treatment.
- Surgery. Surgical removal of the growth may be necessary if other treatments fail to provide pain relief. Although surgery is usually successful, doctors often turn to surgery as a last resort, because the procedure removes both the neuroma and the nerve, which can leave permanent numbness in the affected toes.
- Morton's Neuroma. American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://www.orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00158. Accessed July 11, 2008.
- Hughes, RJ, et. al. Musculoskeletal Imaging: Treatment of Morton's Neuroma with Alcohol Injection Under Sonographic Guidance: Follow-Up of 101 Cases. American Journal of Roentgenology. 2007; 188:1535-1539.
- Womack, JW., M.D., et. al. Long-Term Evaluation of Interdigital Neuroma Treated by Surgical Excision. Foot & Ankle International. 2008; 29(6): 574-577.
- Markovic, M, MB, BS, et. al. Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma. Foot & Ankle International. 2008; 29(5): 483-487.
- Mozena, JD., DPM, et. al. Efficacy of Chemical Neurolysis for the Treatment of Interdigital Nerve Compression of the Foot: A Retrospective Study. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. May 2007; 97(3): 203-206.
- Akermark, C, et. al. A prospective 2-year follow-up study of plantar incisions in the treatment of primary intermetatarsal neuromas (Morton's neuroma). Foot & Ankle Surgery. 2008; 14: 67-73.
- Weller, G (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 27, 2008.
