Actor Patrick Duffy suffers from a painful foot condition known as Morton’s neuroma. A neuroma is a swelling of nerves, and Morton’s neuroma is a particularly common form that affects the nerves between the third and fourth toe. Duffy says that he developed this condition during his first big television role, playing that last member of a superhuman civilization in legendary Atlantis. The role involved a lot of physical activity with webbed feet.
“I have terrible feet,” said Duffy. “I really beat them up during ‘Man from Atlantis,’ because I was barefoot all the time – running through fields, running on cement, jumping out of the water, slapping them around for years. So the nerves on the bottom kind of went all to hell.”
Duffy underwent surgery to remove the damaged nerve in 1989, but struggles with lasting foot pain.
Morton’s neuroma can cause significant discomfort and requires proper care. For questions or treatment, see Dr. Neal Mozen, DPM of Foot Health Care Associates. Dr. Mozen will assess your condition and provide quality care.
Morton’s Neuroma
Also called Intermetatarsal Neuroma or Plantar Neuroma is a condition that affects the nerves of the feet, which targets the toe between the third and fourth toe. Neuroma is a growth that can occur in various areas of the body. Morton’s Neuroma causes the nerves around the feet to become enlarged causing pain in the feet.
Morton’s Neuroma can be caused by injury or pressure, many times no visible signs will indicate that you may have this. Instead, a tingling sensation along with pain will be present.
Foot pain should be treated immediately. Paying close attention to your feet will make it less likely that you will have to undergo surgery.
How Does It Occur?
– Wearing ill-fitting shoes
– High impact exercise
– Sustaining injuries
– Walking incorrectly (bunions, flat-feet)
Treatment for the affected feet can help tremendously. A podiatrist will help identify the issue and prompt the patient to a treatment plan. In many cases the doctor will recommend the following:
- Apply padding to the arch
- Ice packs on the affected area to reduce swelling
For more information about Morton’s Neuroma, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions please contact one of our offices, located in Southfield, Novi, and Livonia, MI. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
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