Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s Neuroma is a condition affecting a nerve in the ball of the foot, most often between the third and fourth toes. It isn’t a tumour, but a thickened and irritated nerve that can cause sharp, burning, or electric pain, often described as feeling like a pebble in your shoe. Symptoms usually worsen with walking or tight footwear and may ease when shoes are removed. In many cases, the discomfort begins gradually and becomes more noticeable over time.
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma to Develop?
Several factors can contribute to the irritation and compression of the nerve, including:
- Tight or narrow footwear: Shoes with a tight toe box or elevated heels squeeze the bones of the forefoot together, placing pressure on the nerve.
- Foot mechanics: Flat feet, high arches, or unstable foot posture can increase strain through the ball of the foot and overload the nerve.
- Repetitive stress: Activities involving prolonged walking, running, or standing (particularly on hard surfaces) can aggravate the nerve over time.
- Foot shape and structure: Certain forefoot shapes naturally bring the metatarsal bones closer together, increasing the likelihood of nerve compression.
- Previous injury: Trauma to the forefoot, even if it occurred years earlier, may alter tissue behaviour and lead to nerve sensitivity.
- Inflammation:
Ongoing irritation can cause the nerve to swell, making symptoms progressively more noticeable.
How Does Feet Option Podiatry Treat Morton’s Neuroma?
Treatment begins with a thorough assessment of your symptoms, foot posture, walking pattern, footwear choices, and daily activities. Imaging, such as ultrasound or X-rays, may be used to confirm the diagnosis or exclude other causes of forefoot pain. From there, your podiatrist will tailor a plan to reduce nerve pressure and relieve irritation. Management may include:
- Footwear guidance: Advice on shoes with a wider forefoot, softer soles, and lower heel height to reduce compression across the nerve.
- Orthotic support: Custom orthotics or forefoot modifications designed to improve weight distribution and relieve stress on the affected nerve.
- Padding and offloading: Metatarsal padding to help spread the metatarsal bones and reduce nerve pinching during walking.
- Activity adjustments: Recommendations to modify high-impact activities while symptoms improve.
- Pain and inflammation strategies: Advice on rest, ice, and appropriate pain-relief measures to manage flare-ups.
- Ice massage: Short applications of ice to the ball of the foot can help ease pain and calm nerve irritation.
- Injection therapy (if applicable): In some cases, guided injections may be used to reduce inflammation and calm nerve irritation.
- Referral for further care: If conservative measures don’t provide relief, your podiatrist may discuss additional investigation or specialist referral.
Suspecting You Have Morton’s Neuroma?
Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and faster relief. With that in mind, if you’re experiencing burning, tingling, or sharp pain in the ball of your foot, especially discomfort that worsens in shoes and eases when barefoot, it’s a good idea to have it assessed early by a podiatrist. In the meantime, opt for roomy footwear, avoid high heels, and take breaks from activities that aggravate your affected foot.
