Morton’s Neuroma

What is Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s Neuroma is a nerve tumor (swelling) that occurs in the ball of the foot. Between each of the metatarsal bones in each foot courses a nerve. When this nerve passes between the metatarsal heads at the ball of the foot, they will sometimes become pinched by a shearing force that occurs during pronation.  This occurs most often between the third and fourth toes, or between the second and third toes.

When the nerve is pinched, it becomes irritated, swollen and enlarged.  When the nerve swells, it becomes more irritated and painful. Pain often starts as numbness or tingling, sometimes as a burning sensation in the toes. As this cycle progresses, symptoms may worsen, causing more and more pain.

Patients will often describe a burning or stabbing type of pain in the ball of the foot.  The pain will sometimes radiate into the toes of the foot. Pinching between the toes while squeezing the front of the foot will usually cause the pain to occur. People will say they get relief from removing their shoes and massaging their foot. Treatment involves reducing the shear forces between the metatarsal heads by controlling the amount of pronation the foot goes through. This is accomplished with the use of an orthotic.  Occasionally cortisone injections are also used.

At The Foot and Ankle Clinic our highly qualified Podiatrists are experienced and trained to diagnose and effectively treat Morton’s Neuroma via a range of conservative and (in some cases) surgical treatment techniques.

Our Podiatrists are all members of the Australian Podiatry Association and offer a combined 50 years’ experience.

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