Morton's Syndrome Rehabilitation
A rehab program for Morton's Syndrome may be based around reducing pain and inflammation, stretching the muscles of the foot, strengthening and returning to full fitness.
Reducing Pain and Inflammation
- Apply ice or cold therapy. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as it may cause ice burns. Wrap in a wet tea towel. Ice may be applied for 15 minutes every 2 hours in the early stages. As the acute inflammation reduces, frequency may be reduced.
- Rest from painful activities. This may initially mean staying off your feet altogether. If this is not possible then placing a padded bridge under the forefoot will spread the bones and take the pressure off the nerve, allowing it to heal.
- The initial pain and inflammation should go away within a few days if looked after properly. However more chronic cases that do not respond to rest and ice and padding may require a corticosteroid injection as well as padding.
- If overpronation is obvious then the use of orthotics is essential to prevent recurrence.
- If there is still no improvement then surgery may be required.
Stretching and Strengthening
- As soon as pain allows stretching and strengthening exercises can begin. It is important to start very gradually with the strengthening exercises to ensure the nerve is not inflamed again.
- Stretching should include the calf muscles and achilles tendon.
- Strengthening exercises are aimed at maintaining and improving the transverse arch of the foot.
Return to full fitness
- When the athlete can walk without pain and have good mobility and flexibility they can begin to return to running.
- If biomechanical problems such as over pronation are not corrected with orthotics then it is more likely the injury will recur at this stage.
- An example of a gradual return to running is given below:
| Day 1: | walk 4 minutes | jog 2 minutes | repeat four times |
| Day 2: | rest | ||
| Day 3: | walk 4 minutes | jog 3 minutes | repeat three times |
| Day 4: | rest | ||
| Day 5: | walk 3 minutes | jog 4 minutes | repeat 4 times |
| Day 6: | rest | ||
| Day 7: | walk 2 minutes | jog 6 minutes | repeat 4 times |
