Understanding Morton’s Toe and Morton’s Neuroma
How do you know if you’re royalty? Look at your toes, according to some. If your second toe is longer than your big toe, you’re among the approximately 20% of people with “Morton’s toe.” Legend says it’s a sign of nobility. But hold on – before they place their Amazon order for golden crowns and purple robes, people with long second toes should know that it’s just a matter of anatomy.
A bit of anatomy
The foot and ankle bones are ingeniously put together to provide maximum stability and balance for standing and walking. When that careful balance is altered, as it does with Morton’s toe, it shifts the stability and balance of the entire foot. What’s altered in a person with Morton’s toe is actually the first, or big, toe, which has a shortened metatarsal bone.
The challenges of having Morton’s toe
In a typical foot, the big toe is usually the longest. It takes more of the weight and pressure of walking, running, or dancing. Morton’s toe causes changes in your gait that increase pressure on the second toe. Some people with Morton’s toe may never develop foot pain. Others may get calluses underneath their toes, arch pain, tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis.
Also, increased pressure on your toes can inflame the nerves in between the five metatarsal bones. When excessive pressure repeatedly irritates a nerve, the nerve responds by thickening. The thick tissue, called a neuroma, may feel like you’re walking on a pebble. You may have a burning pain in the ball of your foot that can make walking extremely painful.
Treatment options
The treatments for Morton’s toe and neuroma are similar and designed to relieve excessive pressure:
- physical therapy to strengthen muscles
- custom orthotics
- wearing shoes with wide toe boxes
- neuroma surgery
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, and Dr. Jim Swienconek, can help you ease the pain you’re experiencing from Morton’s toe and Morton’s neuroma. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.
