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- $Unique_ID{BRK00765}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Does Cortisone Help Cure Morton's Neuroma?}
- $Subject{Morton's Neuroma foot musculoskeletal Nervous swelling nerve between
- toes metatarsalgia interdigital nerves burning injection lidocaine anesthetic
- cortisone injections surgery surgeries operation operations}
- $Volume{M-2}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Does Cortisone Help Cure Morton's Neuroma?
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- QUESTION: I hope you can be of some help to me regarding Morton's Neuroma. I
- have the problem and seem to get different opinions regarding the cure. Does
- cortisone help? What do most people do and what are the results?
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- ANSWER: Morton's Neuroma is caused by a swelling in the nerve which runs
- between the third and fourth toes. This swelling is squeezed between the
- bones of the toe and the ground, causing the pain and discomfort. It is one
- of a group of disorders associated with "metatarsalgia," a general term used
- to describe pain over the ball of the foot. Such neuromas may develop in
- other interdigital nerves, and more often affect just one foot, although they
- may occur in both feet. It is more common in women than men. The pain is
- usually described as burning in nature and may radiate to other parts of the
- foot. The soreness can persist even at rest and prevent sleep. Sometimes
- patients describe a sensation of a marble or pebble inside the the ball of the
- foot. An injection of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) into the painful area
- can often provide lasting relief. Yes, cortisone, in a long acting form, is
- useful in some cases, and is injected along with the lidocaine into the area
- of the nerve affected with the neuroma. These injections may have to be
- repeated 2 or 3 times to achieve complete relief. A properly designed foot
- pad to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve may be helpful. When all
- conservative means fail to bring relief, surgery may be performed to remove
- the neuroma, usually resulting in the complete relief of the pain. Most
- people treated in one of these manners achieve a satisfactory result, and are
- permanently relieved of their pain.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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