Written By: Chloe Wilson - BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: FPE Medical Review Board
Mortons Neuroma is a condition where there is damage and swelling of the nerves that run between the toes.
It causes toe joint pain, tingling and numbness between your toes and underneath the foot.
Many people find walking and running uncomfortable and complain that it feels like there is a small stone underneath their foot.
This may be due to other foot problems such as bunions, hammertoe and flat feet or wearing tight or high-heeled shoes.
Treatment consists of rest, painkillers, injections, orthotics (shoe insoles) and occasionally surgery.
What Is Mortons Neuroma
Mortons neuroma is when a thickening develops in the tissue which surrounds the nerve which irritates and compresses the nerve.
It typically develops in response to excessive pressure, friction, irritation or an injury to one of the foot nerves as it travels to the toes.
The nerve may become squashed, trapped, ischaemic (meaning there is a reduced flow of blood to the nerve), or stretched. In response, there is swelling and inflammation of the nerve and a lump, known as a neuroma, may grow around the nerve.
There are a number of things that increase the risk of developing mortons neuroma:
- Sports: Sports that place high-impact on the balls of the feet, such as running or climbing may damage the nerves
- Foot Deformities: Any alterations to the normal shape of the foot such as flat foot arches, bunions or hammertoes can change the way the pressure goes through the feet and irritate the nerves at the base of the toes
- Footwear: Wearing tight-fitting shoes, or high heels places increased pressure on the ball of the foot which can irritate the nerves leading to a mortons neuroma
- Gender: Mortons neuroma is thought to be 4-15 times more common in women than men. This is thought to be due to footwear
- Age: Mortons neuroma typically affects people between the ages of 40-60
Symptoms of Mortons Neuroma
The common symptoms of mortons neuroma are:
- Pain in the Ball of the Foot: It may be a sharp, stabbing, shooting or burning pain and may spread into the toes.
- Tingling & Numbness: There may be a feeling of pins and needles or decreased sensation in the ball of the foot and into the toes
- Pebble Like Feeling: People with mortons neuroma often comment that when they are walking it feels like there is a small stone in their shoe, or that their sock has creased up underneath them
The symptoms of mortons neuroma are usually felt between the 3rd and 4th toes, sometimes between the 2nd & 3rd toes and only occasionally between the 1st & 2nd or 4th & 5th toes
The symptoms of mortons neuroma are unlikely to settle without appropriate treatment.
- Appropriate Footwear: Opt for flat shoes with thick cushioned soles and a wide toe box
- Metatarsal Pads: Simple inserts for your shoes that reduce the pressure on the nerves. There are a wide variety of metatarsal pads to choose from
- NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help to reduce the pain and swelling associated with mortons neuroma - always check with your doctor before taking any medication
- Ice Massage: Using ice regularly for 10-15 minutes at a time can also help to reduce the pain and nerve damage. Either use an ice pack on the ball of your foot, or massage the area with an ice cube. You can find out more about how to use ice effectively and safely in the ice treatment section
- Steroid Injections: Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection which helps to reduce the pain and inflammation in the nerve
- Avoid High-Impact Activities: Try to limit activities that place a lot of pressure through your feet such as jogging. Instead opt for low impact activities such as swimming
- Weight Loss: If you are overweight, then losing weight will place less pressure through your feet
If the symptoms of mortons neuroma have not settled after three months of treatment, then your doctor may advise surgery. There are a couple of options:
- Nerve Decompression: Pressure on the nerve is relieved by dividing (cutting) nearby structures such as the deep transverse ligament that joins the adjacent foot bones
- Neurectomy: This is where the growth in the nerve, the neuroma, is removed. Whilst usually very successful, there is a risk of long term numbness in the surrounding area
What Else Can Help
Mortons neuroma is just one of the possible causes of tingling and numbness in the feet. There are a number of other conditions that can affect the nerves of the foot and produce similar symptoms. You can find out more in the foot nerve pain section.
If your only symptom is toe pain, then again, there may be something different going on. Visit the toe joint pain section to find out what else could be wrong if the information here on mortons neuroma isn't sound quite like your pain.
"Mortons Neuroma" CKS NICE: Clinical Knowledge Summaries from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence
Go to Common Causes of Foot Pain or Foot Pain Guide
Page Last Updated: 13/12/18
Next Review Due: 13/12/20