There are occasions we might experience an abrupt shooting pain in one of our feet. The pain is typically observed between your 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads.These symptoms commonly are a neuroma or as it is also known, Morton’s Neuroma. This is usually a common foot problem seen by Podiatrists. If you have a neuroma there will be inflammation and sharp pain in the area. The symptoms you will have if you do have a neuroma generally are often sharp pain, burning, pins and needles, tingling, cramping pains in the front area of the foot and in some cases there will be a lack of feeling in that area of the foot.
The reason behind the neuroma is usually because the metatarsals of the 3rd and 4th toes are compressing a nerve which is situated between them. You may get the signs and symptoms of the neuroma just after there has been substantial stress on the front of your foot. The activities which cause this kind of pressure are walking, standing, jumping or even sprinting. They are high impact exercises which have been able to place a large amount of force and stress on the feet. Another way in which you may get this disorder is by wearing footwear with sharp toes and higher heels. The higher heels puts stress on the feet as the weight of the body is supported by the front area of your foot. As there is no other balance for the foot you are forced to rely on the ball of the foot to stabilize the body when you are walking, standing or any other activity.
Neuromas certainly are a curable foot disorder that can also be prevented from happening in the first place. The first step to treating the neuroma would be to pick and wear the correct shoes. The shoes that you need to select will need to have a wide area for the ball of the foot and the top of the footwear must not press down onto your foot. You should then think about using a foot orthotic that has been made with a metatarsal support. The pad should be put behind the ball of the feet. With the metatarsal pad placed in this position the force on the foot is relieved since the weight on the foot is distributed evenly throughout the foot. In the event that these self help steps don't help, then see a podiatrist for additional options.