Morton’s neuroma is a painful disease of the foot. It affects the metatarsus, usually between the third and fourth toes. This disease was diagnosed in Queen Letizia, as announced Worldand this is the second affliction that the monarch suffers from in the area of ​​the foot, as it was already known that she suffered from chronic metatarsalgia.

Those with Morton’s neuroma feel like they have a rock in their shoe or a wrinkle in their toe, Mayo Clinic experts explain on their website. Sensation of sharp pain with burning, itching and numbness of the fingers. Outside, no signs of the disease are visually felt.

But in fact, Morton’s neuroma consists of a thickening of tissue around one of the nerves in the toes. As traumatologist Juan Arnal explains on his website, this disease is “a benign tumor (not quite a tumor) of one of the nerves that runs along the sides of the toes. Around one of these nerves there is a thickening of the tissue surrounding the interdigital nerve, usually between the 3rd and 4th fingers. The name “Morton” comes from the doctor who described it, and this increase in tissue is actually a reactive thickening, that is, a tissue response to sustained irritation.

The origin of the disease, like the chronic metatarsalgia from which Laetitia also suffers, is usually associated with tight shoes or shoes with high heels. In addition to shoes, some high-impact sports, such as skiing or rock climbing, may contribute to the development of Morton’s neuroma. Similarly, people with foot deformities such as bursitis, hammer toes, high arches, or flat feet may be at greater risk of developing this condition.

This disease sometimes requires treatment with corticosteroid injections or even surgery. But usually the traumatologist recommends avoiding heels and narrow socks, insoles for metatarsalgia, ice sessions and anti-inflammatory ointments.