What Is Morton's Neuroma?

Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s Neuroma pain may start out slow and gradually worsen. Wearing high heels or putting pressure on the balls of your feet aggravates the nerve. 

Other Morton’s Neuroma symptoms are:

• Burning pain in the ball of your foot that radiates toward your toes
• Sharp or stinging pain between your toes when standing or walking
• Tingling sensation or numbness in your toes
• Swelling between your toes
• Feeling like you’re walking on a pebble that’s lodged in your sock or shoe

In the beginning stages, removing your shoe and massaging your foot usually relieves any discomfort. You cannot see Morton’s Neuroma and there is no outward sign, such as a lump or bump under the foot.

What Causes Morton's Neuroma?

Anything that irritates, injures, or puts incredible pressure on the nerves leading to your toes can cause Morton’s Neuroma.

Morton’s Neuroma causes and risk factors include:

• Tight, narrow, pointed toe, or high heeled shoes with higher than a two-inch heel
• High-impact activities like running, skiing, rock climbing, and racquet sports that require tight-fitting shoes and put repetitive stress on the ball of the foot
• Flat feet or high arches creating instability around the toe joints
• Foot deformities like bunions or hammertoes

One of the most likely causes is wearing high-heeled shoes that press the toes into the toe box and put pressure on the ball of the foot. This is why Morton’s Neuroma is more common in women than in men.

How Do You Treat Morton's Neuroma?

While in recovery, people with this condition should avoid playing sports that put too much pressure on their feet. You might also consider using a thin athletic insole or ¾ insole for better support in tight, low-profile shoes like cleats, spikes, and running shoes. 

Typical treatments for Morton's Neuroma include:

• A combination of rest, medication, and change in activities
• Wearing insoles for high heels and supportive shoes with a lower heel and wider toe box to help alleviate symptoms
• Icing the toes to help reduce swelling
• Some doctors might recommend a corticosteroid injection or local anesthetic to numb the nerve and relieve pain

Healthcare providers recommend Morton’s Neuroma treatment options based on level of pain. They might also perform tests like an Xray or ultrasound to ensure the cause of pain is not a stress fracture. If at-home remedies and injections do not work, a doctor may recommend Morton’s Neuroma surgery to remove part or all of the nerve tissue.