MORTON’S NEUROMA
If you suffer from pain, numbness and tingling in the foot please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Foot and Ankle Specialists describe Morton’s neuroma as a painful condition that affects the ball of the foot, most commonly in the area between the third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma will feel as if you are standing on a pebble in the shoe or on a fold in the sock.
Morton’s neuroma involves the thickening of tissue around one of the nerves in the foot leading to the toes. This can cause sharp, burning pain radiating in the ball of the foot. You may feel a stinging, burning, or numbing sensation in the affected toes.
Research has linked High-heeled and tight shoes to the development of Morton’s neuroma. Many patients experience relief from Morton’s Neuroma by switching to shoes with flatter heels and wider toe boxes. Sometimes patients may require Epidural Corticosteroid injections or surgery.
Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma
- Burning pain in the ball of the foot
- Tingling or numbness in the toes
- Sharp or stabbing pain during weight-bearing activities
- Feeling like a pebble inside the shoe
- Pain that radiates into adjacent toes
- Increased discomfort when wearing narrow or high-heeled shoes
- Relief of pain when removing shoes or resting the foot
- Swelling or tenderness between the affected toes
Causes of Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma develops when repeated pressure and irritation compress a nerve between the toes, most often between the third and fourth toes. Ongoing stress causes the nerve to thicken and produce pain, tingling, and burning sensations in the forefoot.
Causes may include:
- Wearing tight, narrow, or high-heeled shoes that compress the forefoot
- Repetitive impact from running or high-intensity sports
- Foot deformities such as bunions or hammertoes that alter toe alignment
- Flat feet or high arches that increase nerve pressure
- Trauma or injury to the forefoot that irritates the nerve
- Activities that place prolonged pressure on the ball of the foot
- Thickened tissue forming around the nerve after repeated irritation
Treatment for Morton’s Neuroma
Mild Cases:
Mild Morton’s neuroma often improves with conservative treatment that reduces pressure on the affected nerve. People frequently find relief by wearing shoes with a wide toe box and low heels that allow the forefoot to spread naturally. Supportive orthotics or metatarsal pads help redistribute weight away from the irritated nerve, while activity modification reduces repetitive stress. Specialists may also recommend anti-inflammatory medications, ice therapy, and stretching exercises that improve foot mechanics and ease discomfort.
Severe Cases:
Severe Morton’s neuroma may require more advanced treatment when pain continues despite conservative care. Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and provide temporary symptom relief, while alcohol sclerosing injections may shrink the affected nerve in selected cases. Persistent pain that interferes with daily activities may require surgery to remove the enlarged nerve or release surrounding tissues that create excessive pressure. Rehabilitation after surgery focuses on restoring foot function, improving mobility, and supporting a gradual return to normal activities.
If you would like to speak to a Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Specialist in the Lone Star State, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.
