Why are my toes numb?

Morton's neuroma is when the nerve that travels between the metatarsals (bones in the ball of your foot) becomes impinged causing pain and occasional numbness/tingling. It most commonly happens to the nerve travelling between the third and fourth metatarsals.
Causes
- Poor-fitting footwear (narrow toe boxes) causing too much pressure on the metatarsals
- High arch foot type resulting in significant pressure on the joints of the forefoot
- Flat feet that spread significantly and require wider-fitting shoes
- Toe deformities (bunions, hammer/claw toes) that result in increased pressure
Symptoms
- Numbness/tingling in the space between the 3rd and 4th metatarsals
- "Wadded sock" sensation when wearing shoes
- Pain in the forefoot during activity (standing, walking, running)
- Shooting pain (at times very sharp) into the toes
Treatment
- Wear better-fitting shoes. Always measure your foot length and width when buying shoes, and if necessary, get a wider toe box to accommodate your feet. Rocker soled footwear can also be helpful
- Reduce the activity that seems to increase the pain until you have treated the cause of the problem
- Use custom-foot orthotics to help distribute weight evenly throughout the forefoot. Metatarsal support is crucial and can be achieved with metatarsal pads
- Pain meds or injections of cortico-steroids
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
Note: It is always important to consult with your physician before deciding on a treatment approach.
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