Life Insurance With Morton's Neuroma
Despite the name, this is not a tumour. It is a thickening around a nerve where it passes between the bones of the forefoot.
It is distinctive enough that people usually remember the diagnosis, and it has a fairly standard sequence of treatments that makes for a clear answer on a form.
This page covers that sequence and what we would ask.
The short answer
Morton's neuroma is thickening of tissue around a nerve between the toes, usually the third and fourth, producing burning pain and the feeling of standing on a pebble. It is a nerve problem rather than a joint one, and the useful detail on an application is the treatment path: insoles, then often a steroid injection, and sometimes surgery to release or remove the nerve.
What it is
Morton's neuroma is thickening of the tissue surrounding one of the nerves running between the long bones of the foot, most often between the third and fourth toes. It causes burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot, numbness in the toes and the sensation of a pebble underfoot.
Treatment usually starts with footwear changes and metatarsal pads or insoles. Steroid injection is common if that is not enough. Persistent cases are sometimes treated surgically, either by releasing the ligament above the nerve or by removing the affected section of nerve, which leaves permanent numbness in part of the toes.
Why it comes up on an application
- It is a nerve condition, so numbness is part of the picture and permanent numbness after surgery is an expected outcome rather than a complication.
- Steroid injection is a procedure and a clear entry; several injections over time is a more substantial history than one.
- Surgery has a name worth using, and nerve excision in particular leaves a lasting change in sensation that is worth mentioning.
- Diagnosis often involves an ultrasound or MRI of the foot, which counts as an investigation.
- For anybody on their feet for a living, the practical issue is the recovery period after injection or surgery.
What we would ask you
- Which foot, and roughly when it was diagnosed
- How it was diagnosed, including any ultrasound or MRI
- Whether you have had steroid injections, and how many
- Whether you have had surgery, and whether any numbness remains
- Whether it has affected your work
- Whether you are currently off work or working reduced hours because of an accident, injury or illness
- Whether you are waiting on any medical tests, appointments or treatment
- Whether you have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last five years
- Whether a parent, brother or sister was diagnosed with cancer, heart disease or a stroke before 65
- Any medication you take
- Whether you smoke, and your date of birth
The Treatment Sequence Is The Answer
This condition is unusually easy to describe well, because it has a recognisable path and most people can say where they are on it.
Footwear and insoles first. Steroid injection next, and often more than one. Surgery last, and only for cases that have not settled. Saying which steps you have been through, and roughly when, gives a complete picture in two lines.
People tend to under-report the injections because each one took a few minutes. On a medical record each is a procedure by a clinician, and a question about treatment is asking about them. Three injections over two years is a meaningful answer; "I had a neuroma" is not.
Numbness After Surgery Is Normal, And Worth Saying
This is the detail that is specific to this condition rather than shared with the rest of the group.
If the affected section of nerve is removed, the area it supplied stays numb. That is the expected result of the operation rather than something that went wrong, and people are usually told so beforehand.
It is still worth mentioning on a form, because permanent altered sensation is a genuine thing to report and because it explains the numbness if it comes up elsewhere. Saying "nerve removed, part of two toes permanently numb, as expected" is accurate, complete and takes one line.
Which cover is relevant
The practical cover if you stand or walk for a living. Injection and surgery both involve recovery, and the condition itself makes long periods on your feet difficult.
The usual starting point for protection generally. A forefoot nerve problem is rarely a factor in what is available.
Pays on diagnosis of a listed serious condition, and this is not one. Worth having for the risks it does cover.
Common questions
Is Morton's neuroma a tumour?+
No, despite the name. It is thickening of the tissue around a nerve between the bones of the forefoot. It is a nerve problem rather than a growth, and that is worth knowing when you see the word on a form.
How should I describe my treatment?+
As a sequence: insoles, then any steroid injections with roughly how many and when, then surgery if you had it. People under-report the injections because each took minutes, but each is a procedure by a clinician and a question about treatment is asking about them.
I have permanent numbness after surgery. Do I declare that?+
Yes, and it is worth a line. If the affected nerve section was removed, lasting numbness is the expected outcome rather than a complication, and saying so is accurate and explains the numbness if it arises elsewhere.
Will it affect my life insurance?+
Rarely the deciding factor, and the decision rests on your whole picture and belongs to the insurer. For somebody on their feet for a living the more useful conversation is income protection.
Do I mention the scan?+
Yes. Diagnosis often involves an ultrasound or MRI of the foot, and that is an investigation whatever it showed. A question about tests is asking whether they happened.
Cover that often goes with this
The gaps we most often find sitting next to this one.