Playing tennis can be a great way to stay in shape, even if you just do a few slow rallies at the weekend. Unfortunately, while playing tennis can improve your overall health, the high-impact nature of the sport can take its toll on your foot. Foot injuries and conditions are common in both amateur and professional tennis players, and a condition known as Morton's neuroma can be particularly debilitating.
What Is Morton's Neuroma?
The plantar nerves run along the bottom of your foot and between the toe bones, allowing the sole of the foot to feel touch and pain. Because these nerves run between highly mobile bones, they are vulnerable to damage caused by compression and 'pinching' when the toes are pressed together. The nerves that run between your second, third and fourth toes are especially vulnerable to being pinched.
Over time, repeated compression can irritate and damage these vulnerable nerves. This irritation can cause tissue growth around the nerve, similar to that of a benign tumour. Morton's neuroma occurs when one of these growths starts to interfere with the normal functioning of a damaged plantar nerve.
The most common symptom of Morton's neuroma is a sharp, stabbing or burning pain between the toes, that gets worse when you place pressure on the affected foot. It may feel like there is a stone or marble stuck in your shoe. More serious cases may cause numbness or tingling in the affected foot.
How Does Tennis Cause Morton's Neuroma?
The average game of tennis involves a lot of sprinting, sudden changes of direction and breaking into runs from a standing start. This can place the plantar nerves under an immense amount of pressure, as the toes are pressed tightly together while you chase down the ball.
You are more vulnerable to developing Morton's neuroma if you wear tight, ill-fitting trainers or shoes while you play. Tight shoes with a narrow toe box will press the toes together even more, causing increased irritation. You may also be more likely to develop Morton's neuroma if you play on clay or hard synthetic surfaces instead of grass.
How Can Podiatrists Treat Morton's Neuroma?
If you are suffering from the symptoms of Morton's neuroma, you should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible for a diagnosis. A number of other foot conditions, such as bursitis or toe bone fractures, can cause similar symptoms, so it's important to have a podiatrist conclusively diagnose the problem before treatment begins.
Podiatrists can offer a number of effective, non-invasive treatments for Morton's neuroma. Basic measures, such as resting the affected foot and applying ice to reduce swelling, can mitigate pain and allow the inflamed nerve to heal naturally. If you are in more severe pain, your podiatrist can provide you with analgesic medications, or corticosteroid injections directly into the affected foot.
Because Morton's neuroma is a compression injury, taking pressure off the toe bones can also help the neuroma heal naturally. Your podiatrist can craft orthotic insoles and heel lifts, which should be worn inside your footwear on a daily basis. These insoles will modify the shape of your foot while you stand, walk and run, taking pressure away from the affected toes and preventing further nerve damage.
Your podiatrist will also inspect the footwear you wear while playing tennis, as improper footwear can make Morton's neuroma more severe. They may recommend wider footwear that does not compress the toes or supporting footwear that takes pressure away from the damaged nerve.
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