The Queen had to be sitting in a high chair this Wednesday during the greeting to the guests at the gala dinner offered by King William and King Maxima of the Netherlands. The reason? A foot problem that prevents you from being in a static standing position (standing still).
Letizia suffers from a Morton's neuroma (inflammation of the nerves around the fingers) and metatarsalgia (inflammation in the metatarsals of both feet) in her left foot. An ailment that also affects her when she walks and prevents her from standing for long periods of time without moving.
Morton's neuroma, as reported by the Mayo Clinic, is a foot disease that affects one or more of the nerves located between the toes. It is a benign, non-cancerous tumor of a nerve. It usually occurs between the third and fourth metatarsals, although it can occur between other toes. It is a common and very painful foot condition that feels similar to walking on a marble.
In Morton's neuroma, fibrous tissue develops around the nerve, which becomes irritated and compressed. This causes severe pain in the sole of the foot and at the base of the toes. This pain can simply be a mild tingling or a great burning that prevents you from living a normal life.
This condition can affect all types of patients. However, it is more common in women between 30 and 60 years old. That is to say, Queen Letizia fits the profile perfectly. On the other hand, Morton's neuroma can appear in one or both feet and, although rare, some patients can develop more than one neuroma in the same foot. This is not the case with the monarch.
The exact cause of a Morton's neuroma is unknown, but current research suggests that it is likely the result of compression of the common digital plantar nerves. Compression of the nerve can trigger inflammation and cause abnormal tissue to form in and around the nerve, causing this pain.
Symptoms usually come and go, depending on the type of shoes you wear and how much time you spend on your feet. In this sense, high-heeled shoes can have a negative impact on the feet and promote the appearance of Morton's neuroma. Queen Letizia, for example, is a great lover of this type of footwear.
Morton's neuroma does not go away on its own. Treatment and, above all, patience are needed. First, doctors recommend conservative therapies such as:
If these methods do not provide lasting pain relief, it is necessary to undergo surgery. This is the most reliable way to treat Morton's neuroma and is estimated to have a success rate of 80 to 95%.
An operation can remove the diseased part of the nerve or free the tissue surrounding the nerve. The recovery time is relatively short and you can return to a normal life quickly. To play sports or other heavier activities it will take more than two weeks. And, if there are no complications, the foot will be healed in a month.
