Do you feel like you’re stepping on pebbles when you walk? Experience numbness and pain in the ball of your foot? These are the classic symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, a thickening of the nerve tissue between your toes. Conservative treatment has a high success rate in treating Morton’s neuroma. But in those cases when surgery is needed, the orthopedists and podiatrists at New York Bone & Joint Specialists have the experience and expertise to get you back to your pain-free best.
Understanding Morton’s Neuroma: Definition and Symptoms
Morton’s neuroma is a common foot condition that affects many people, particularly women, during the course of their lives.
What is Morton’s neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the nerve tissue located between the metatarsal bones in your foot. When the nerve becomes inflamed or irritated, it develops extra tissue around it. This extra tissue is not cancerous or a tumor—Morton’s neuroma is a benign condition. It’s also known medically as interdigital neuroma, Morton’s metatarsalgia, interdigital neuritis, or plantar neuroma.
The most common location for Morton’s neuroma is between the third and fourth toes. It less commonly occurs between the second and third toes.
Morton’s neuroma symptoms
- Burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot that spreads to the toes
- Pain that worsens when running, walking, or wearing high-heeled shoes
- Pain that lessens when resting or when shoes are removed
- Tingling or numbness in the foot
- Swelling between the toes
- A sensation of walking with a marble or pebble under the forefoot
Although Morton’s neuroma is a benign condition, medical treatment is necessary to prevent further nerve damage and chronic pain.
What Causes Morton’s Neuroma? Diagnosis and Risk Factors
Chronic foot and toe pain lasting more than a few weeks requires medical intervention. Morton’s neuroma does not resolve on its own. A podiatrist or orthopedic specialist is best qualified to diagnose Morton’s neuroma. As a leading orthopedic facility in New York, New York Bone & Joint Specialists offers the latest diagnostic techniques and technology to correctly diagnose and treat this condition.
To diagnose Morton’s neuroma, your physician will:
- Review when symptoms started and what triggers make them worse
- Ask about your typical footwear choices
- Physically examine the toes and foot by applying gentle pressure between the toes
- Perform a “squeeze test” to check for clicking between your toes
- Assess range of motion in the toes
- Check for any foot deformities
- Order X-rays to rule out other conditions, such as stress fractures or arthritis
- Request an MRI or ultrasound to obtain clear images of the nerves and soft tissues
Common causes and risk factors include:
- Wearing high heels with narrow, pointed toe boxes
- Standing for extended periods at work
- Participating in high-impact sports (running, tennis, basketball)
- Biomechanical abnormalities such as flat feet, high arches, or overpronation
- Other foot conditions, like bunions or hammer toes
- Trauma to the toe or foot from injury
Comprehensive Morton’s Neuroma Treatment Options
Conservative treatments and non-surgical interventions provide relief in many Morton’s neuroma cases. Most treatments involve lifestyle modifications, proper footwear, and at-home therapies.
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Footwear modifications: The best shoes for Morton’s neuroma feature wide toe boxes and lower heels to reduce pressure on the nerve and allow toes to spread naturally.
- Orthotic devices: Custom-made or over-the-counter shoe inserts help distribute weight evenly and maintain proper toe alignment while relieving nerve pressure.
- Padding and cushioning: Metatarsal pads and shoe inserts provide targeted cushioning to lift pressure off the affected nerve.
- Ice therapy: Apply ice packs wrapped in a towel for 15-20 minutes several times daily to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Anti-inflammatory medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
- Activity modifications: Temporarily avoid high-impact activities that worsen symptoms.
Morton’s neuroma exercises and self-care:
Toe Curls:
- Place a towel on the floor and position your foot at one end
- Using your toes, scrunch the towel and pull it toward you
- Repeat 10-15 times for each foot
Calf Stretch:
- Stand at arm’s length from a wall with your hands against the wall
- Step one foot back, keeping it flat on the ground
- Lean forward until you feel a stretch in your calf muscle
- Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs
Morton’s Neuroma Surgery: When and How
When conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief after 6-12 weeks, or if symptoms return after initial improvement, surgery may be recommended. Morton’s neuroma surgical procedures have a high success rate when performed with us.
Surgical options include:
Neurectomy: The compressed nerve is removed through a small incision between the metatarsal bones. Patients typically rest for 3-5 days post-surgery with excellent long-term outcomes.
Nerve decompression: The ligament or tissue pressing on the nerve is released, allowing the nerve to function normally. Recovery involves 3-5 days of limited weight-bearing activity.
Minimally invasive procedures:
Steroid injections: Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and provide temporary to long-lasting relief in about 50% of patients.
Radiofrequency ablation: Uses targeted heat waves to interrupt pain signals from the nerve. Patients can resume light activities the next day, with up to 80% experiencing significant pain relief.
Cryogenic neuroablation: Uses controlled cold temperatures to treat the nerve, reducing the likelihood of symptom recurrence.
H2: How to prevent Morton’s neuroma or recurrence:
Follow these guidelines to prevent Morton’s neuroma or reduce the risk of recurrence:
- Limit wearing high heels, especially for extended periods
- Choose shoes with wide toe boxes and adequate arch support
- Select athletic shoes with sufficient padding and cushioning
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your feet
- Continue prescribed physical therapy exercises
- Use custom orthotics as recommended by your physician
- Replace worn-out shoes regularly
Expert Morton’s Neuroma Specialists in NYC
For decades, New Yorkers have trusted New York Bone & Joint Specialists for effective treatment of Morton’s neuroma and other foot conditions. Our expertise in orthopedic medicine reflects our unwavering commitment to patient well-being and successful outcomes.
Why choose New York Bone & Joint Specialists:
- Comprehensive diagnostic expertise: Advanced imaging and assessment techniques for accurate diagnosis
- Conservative treatment focus: Over 90% of our patients avoid surgery through effective non-surgical treatments
- Minimally invasive options: When surgery is needed, we prioritize the least invasive approaches
- Specialized foot care: Our orthopedic specialists have advanced training in all foot and ankle conditions
- Personalized treatment plans: Customized care addressing your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs
- Complete rehabilitation support: From diagnosis through full recovery and prevention
Make an appointment today
Ready to walk without pain? Schedule an appointment with New York Bone & Joint Specialists and start your personalized recovery plan today..
Frequently Asked Questions About Morton’s Neuroma Treatment
What kind of doctor treats Morton’s neuroma?
Board-certified podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle conditions are best qualified to treat Morton’s neuroma. At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our specialists have extensive experience in both conservative and surgical Morton’s neuroma treatments.
Can Morton’s neuroma be treated without surgery?
Yes, approximately 50% of Morton’s neuroma cases respond well to conservative treatments, including proper footwear, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Surgery is only recommended when conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief.
What are the best shoes for Morton’s neuroma?
The best shoes feature wide toe boxes, low to moderate heels (under 2 inches), good arch support, and cushioned soles. Avoid narrow, pointed-toe shoes and high heels that compress the forefoot.
How successful is Morton’s neuroma surgery?
Morton’s neuroma surgery has excellent success rates of 80-95% with us. Most patients return to normal activities within 2-4 weeks, with full recovery typically achieved in 6-8 weeks.
