Should I take a B complex when I have neuroma?

by Mercedes
(Rego Park, NY, USA)

Metatarsalgia

1. Home >
2. Morton's neuroma >
3. Questions about Morton's Neuroma

Dr. Barrie Lewis

Hello Mercedes,
You are a strong lady; to put up with a Morton's neuroma in both feet for twenty years is a significant achievement; however the long wait was probably quite needless.

There are different opinions on what causes a Morton's neuroma, but in my experience it's very much related to improper biomechanics in the foot or ankle; often it causes plantar myofascitis too. In short it hurts and I'm not surprised you can't handle it.

It's a pretty ugly operation; I would certain suggest consulting a chiropractor with experience in treating feet before going under the knife. Not just expensive orthotics but someone who knows how to correct the subluxations in the foot.

A B complex is never contraindicated in the treatment of any nerve condition, but frankly I doubt it will do much for a Morton's neuroma.

Let me know how you get on. A chiropractor incidentally with FICS qualification would be good; sports chiropractic.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Sciatica and Morton's neuroma

Slump test for sciatica

Have you heard of any connection between sciatica and morton's neuroma when there is no pain in the foot? A podiatrist claims to relieve the sciatic nerve pain by shaving down small bone spurs between the 3-4 toes in the foot.

Dr. Barrie Lewis

That's an interesting question. Frankly, I'm a bit sceptical for several reasons. Firstly the spurs usually grow back.

Secondly, if you have no pain in the foot, I doubt you have a Morton's neuroma.

Having said all that, a disturbed gait because of a problem, painful or otherwise, in the foot and ankle can certainly upset the applecart. Just a short leg can do that.

The big question for me is whether bending forwards, backwards and to the side provokes the pain and tightness in the leg; and secondly if the Slump test for sciatica is positive. If that is the case I would certainly be looking at the lower back and pelvis first, and only later at the foot.

Start doing our lower back exercises faithfully every morning before getting out of bed; they take less than two minutes.

I hope this contributes to your conundrum.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Falling with neuroma

by Myrna Coleman
(Portville, NY)

X-ray of feet

I have been diagnosed with Morton's neuroma in my right foot, causing something like a frozen foot in area from ball of foot to middle toes when I take off my wide toe box SAS shoes at night.

I fell last night, wondering if the neuroma is a factor. But the funny thing is that my foot was forced into the wall, causing it to bend harshly at the toes. I don't think I broke anything; it's the first time I've felt movement although it is painful.

Today I'm immersing it in icy water for a few minutes, which feels good, since it felt so hot; I think the bottom of my foot is swollen or inflamed.

Anyone please comment - think this is a good idea?

Dr. Barrie Lewis

Hello Myrna,
I take it the diagnosis of Morton's neuroma is a long standing condition, and that only recently you bashed your foot against the wall.

Yes, ice treatment, or alternating cold and hot, is a good idea. Immersing your whole foot may be a bit drastic; how about an ice block rather on the painful swollen and inflamed area?

As far as the neuroma is concerned, I've had considerable success with mobilising the fixations in the forefoot and ankle, though I can't guarantee this has always been successful.

Once the swelling has gone down from the recent trauma, see if you can find a chiropractor who works with feet. Surgery for Morton's neuroma is really quite drastic.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Unbearable pain after injections for Morton's neuroma

by Shelley
(London U.K. )

Diagram of ankle anatomy

I broke both my ankles years ago in riding accidents many years ago. I have now developed Morton's Neuroma and had injections in both feet about 6 weeks ago. Since the injections my condition has worsened by 80% and I am now completely unable to walk and I am in unbearable pain. Like frost bite in the tips of my toes.

The doctor suggests more injections and says they haven't worsened but that the injections just haven't worked. I don't believe this. Before I could walk. Run, ride and generally get about. Now I feel like an invalid.

My ankles were not fused and I have trouble heel striking which has caused me to walk more on my toes which has caused the neuroma. I just don't know what to do next. At my wits end and cannot live with this pain any longer. Please help, I will do and pay anything to get my life back.

Dr. Barrie Lewis

Hello Shelley,
There's good and bad news; the good is that this definitely can be helped; there aren't many folk who don't get at least some relief with chiropractic foot care, and the majority are much improved.

The bad news is that nobody is probably going to 'cure' it; fix it completely so that you have your old feet back. My own wife suffers from this, a mild case admittedly, and needs a treatment of her feet once a month.

You say you'll 'pay anything to get your life back'. Would you pay for a chiropractic treatment every four to six weeks, if you got 80% relief?

Start by doing our alphabet exercises; you'll find them by using the search function in the navigation bar on your left; near the top. Type in 'ankle exercises'. In your case focus more on mobilising the toes.

Then start looking for a chiropractor with a FICS qualification; not all of my colleagues work on feet.

It sounds to me like your doctor is in denial; your instincts are right. Now you know why chiropractors hate horse riding, alas.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Mortons neuroma

by Themi
(South Africa)

I ran 2 Comarades' marathons. I now have a Morton's neuroma. The pain is excruciating if I walk a long distance or even if I'm on my feet for too long. This doesn't help too much as I am an educationalist and on my feet the whole day. It is very restricting as I cannot run.

Dr. Barrie Lewis

Hello Themi,
Yes, it can be a debilitating condition but usually it responds to chiropractic care of the feet; it's usually caused by a fixation of the one of the bones in the midfoot, probably the medial cuneiform.

Start looking for chiropractor with a FICS post graduate qualification in your area. Email the chiropractic association of South Africa; if you can't find anyone, contact me with your location.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Leg swelling with neuromas

by Joy
(Jacobs)

Can neuromas cause lower leg swelling also?
Kind of like a bump? What is the best to make sure it is not a sarcoma? CT or something else?

Dr. Barrie Lewis

Hello Joy,
I would need a lot more information to give a sensible answer to your question. Where is the bump, for example? What part of the leg is swollen? Where is the neuroma?

A sarcoma would be seen on a plain x-ray.

A neuroma is a benign tumour; if you're concerned about cancer, then I'd see an orthopaedic surgeon.

Dr Barrie Lewis

Did you find this page useful? Then perhaps forward it to a suffering friend. Better still, Tweet or Face Book it.

Chiropractic Help Backissues ... our monthly newsletter, click here for all the old issues.

• Issue #53: No short cuts to better health / Simple balance and quad strengthening exercises
• Issue #52: Needs an adjustment / Everything must change
• Issue #51: Elective surgery in the elderly / Cooling and reheating starches
• Issue #50: Make time for breakfast / Scrambled eggs and parsley
• Issue #49: Consulting a locum / Green salad /Eggs Florentine
• Issue #48: Hips and the sacroiliac joints/ Bacon and eggs
• Issue #47: Life without medication/ Eight coloured foods
• Issue #46: Lower backs and ankles/ kaempferol and cancer prevention
• Issue #45: Tingling, weakness and malaise/ vitamin B1
• Issue #44: Applying general chiropractic principles to the hand / Omega-3
• Issue #43: Art and science of chiropractic / Kale
• Issue #42: Tum sleeping / Flaxseed
• Issue #41: Adult potty training / Beetroot constipation
• Issue #40: Ominous lumbar signs / Too much medication?
• Issue #39: Swapping chiropractors / Butter is back
• Issue #38: Making a correct diagnosis / Make your own pesto in five minutes.
• Issue #37: Have your wisdom teeth out in the chair

• Issue #06: Safety on the Stairs / Ginger
• Issue #05: Safety in the home / Red foods
• Issue #04: Whiplash and the Joints of Luschka / Parsley
• Issue #03: How to stop falling / Danger of a low fat diet
• Issue #01: Tingling in the arms and hands / Apples

(PS. If you find them irrelevant to your needs or an exercise in tedium, one click will UNsubscribe you.)