Interdigital Neuralgia

　　Neuralgia or benign neuroma can occur in any interdigital nerve. The interdigital nerves run under the toes and between the metatarsals, over the metatarsal head, and towards the distal end, controlling the toes. The third interdigital nerve of the sole is composed of branches from the internal and external plantar nerves, usually forming a neuroma (Morton neuroma) here. Unilateral neuromas are more common than bilateral, and women are more prone than men.

　　In the early stage, patients with this neuroma only report mild pain or discomfort in the metatarsal head area. As the disease progresses, the sensation can become more special, often with a burning sensation radiating to the toes. To alleviate pain while walking, it is often necessary to take off shoes.

　　The characteristics of interdigital neuralgia are sudden pain radiating to the toe ball or toes along one or more branches of the foot nerves, which may be due to the disappearance of the fat pad that protects the interdigital nerves of the foot. Repeated mild trauma or inappropriate shoe wearing can cause interdigital neuromas, which manifest as progressive benign thickening and enlargement around one or more interdigital nerves. In the early stage, patients with this neuroma only report mild pain or discomfort in the metatarsal head area. The most common location is the fourth metatarsal head area, and sometimes there is a burning sensation or pricking sensation. Patients may feel as if there is a stone in the metatarsal head, and the symptoms are usually more obvious when wearing a certain style of shoe than when wearing another style.

　　Unilateral neuromas in interdigital neuralgia are more common than bilateral, and women are more prone than men. There is currently no effective preventive measure for interdigital neuralgia, so early detection and treatment are the key to the prevention and treatment of the disease.

　　The diagnosis of interdigital neuralgia is established based on characteristic medical history and tenderness in the interdigital space of the sole. When neurinoma formation occurs, pressing the space between the third and fourth metatarsal bones with the thumb often causes pain. This disease is mainly excluded by X-ray and CT examination to rule out organic diseases.

　　Patients with interdigital neuralgia should eat more vegetables, black beans, potatoes, cucumbers, celery, etc. Avoid eating too much animal protein and eat less meat. The dietary recipes for this disease include:

　　1. Stir-fried Eggplant

　　[Ingredients]Eggplant, seasoning, in appropriate amounts.

　　[Preparation]Remove the stem from the eggplant, cut it in half. Make diagonal cuts on the eggplant skin with a knife, soak it in diluted salt water. Drain the water, put it in a hot pan, and stir-fry it over high heat. When it is about to burn, add a moderate amount of sugar and soy sauce, and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Then turn the heat down and continue to cook until the sauce is reduced to 1/3 of the original amount, then add the seasoning and turn off the heat. Put the cooked eggplant in a bowl, sprinkle some white sesame seeds, and it can be eaten. It has a certain analgesic effect.

　　2. Sprout Salad

　　[Ingredients]Sprouts, onions, green peppers, ham, seasonings, etc., in appropriate amounts.

　　[Preparation]Add some salt to hot water, put the sprouts in and blanch, then take them out and set aside. Cut the ham and green peppers into thin strips, blanch them in boiling water, take them out and sprinkle some salt. Cut the onions into thin slices, soak them in water, then take them out and drain the water. Put all the above ingredients in a bowl, mix with vinegar, and it can be eaten.

　　[Efficacy]Supplement nutrition, suitable for neuralgia patients to eat.

　　After wearing suitable shoes, the pain in patients with interdigital neuralgia usually can be quickly relieved. For simple neuralgia, lidocaine injection can be used to relieve the pain. Otherwise, when neurinoma formation occurs, long-acting corticosteroids and local anesthetics need to be used for perineural infiltration. The injection is made into the interphalangeal space of the foot at an angle of 45° with the foot at a 45° angle. Repeat the injection 2-3 times with an interval of 1-2 months. It is more beneficial to use foot orthotics at the same time, and conservative treatment should be as conservative as possible before surgery. If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal of the neurinoma can completely eradicate it.