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Morton's Neuroma

Morton’s neuroma — also called interdigital neuroma or intermetatarsal neuroma — is a nerve disorder that causes pain in the ball of your foot, often between your third and fourth toes. This pain can make it difficult to walk, or cause feelings of numbness, burning, or tingling.

UPMC experts provide comprehensive care for Morton’s neuroma, including surgical and nonsurgical treatment. Our team will develop a treatment plan that reduces your symptoms, restores your mobility, and improves your quality of life.

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What Is Morton’s Neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is a nerve disorder that causes pain in the ball of your foot. This pain can make it difficult to walk or cause feelings of numbness, burning, or tingling.

What causes Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma happens when the tissue around the nerve that runs between your third and fourth toe becomes thickened due to prolonged compression or irritation.

Although the exact cause of Morton’s neuroma is unknown, wearing high heels or having abnormalities in the bones of your feet may increase your risk.

How serious is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is not serious, but it can cause significant discomfort. If left untreated, it can get worse and cause problems with walking.

What are Morton’s neuroma risk factors and complications?

Morton’s neuroma risk factors

You may be at increased risk of developing Morton’s neuroma if you:

  • Are a middle-aged woman.
  • Have an abnormality in the bones of your feet, such as flat feet, high arches, bunions, or hammer toes.
  • Have an injury to your foot.
  • Play sports that increase pressure on the ball of your foot, such as running or tennis.
  • Wear tight shoes, such as ballet shoes, ski boots, or high heels.

Complications of Morton’s neuroma

Morton’s neuroma doesn’t usually cause serious complications.

However, if left untreated, it may cause:

  • Difficulty walking.
  • Inability to wear high-heeled or tight shoes.
  • Problems with everyday activities, such as driving or exercise.

How can I prevent Morton’s neuroma? 

You may not be able to prevent Morton’s neuroma; however, you may be able to reduce your risk by:

  • Avoiding wearing tight or high-heeled shoes for long periods.
  • Using shoe inserts or padded socks to take pressure off the ball of your foot.
  • Standing on an anti-fatigue mat if you are on your feet for long periods at home or work.
  • Stretching and strengthening your feet.

How common is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is a common condition, affecting about one in three people in their lifetime. It is more common in women than in men.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?

The most common symptom of Morton’s neuroma is pain in the ball of your foot, which may be sharp, shooting, or burning and gets worse when you wear tight shoes or high heels. Pain between your third and fourth toes is most common, but it may also occur between your second and third toes.

Other symptoms of Morton’s neuroma may include:

  • Cramping in your toes.
  • Numbness and tingling.
  • Pain that gets worse over time.

When should I see a doctor about my Morton’s neuroma symptoms?

Although Morton’s neuroma usually isn’t serious, it can cause discomfort that can affect your quality of life. If you have symptoms of Morton’s neuroma, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor.

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How Do You Diagnose Morton’s Neuroma?

In most cases, an examination of your foot is all that is needed to diagnose Morton’s neuroma. However, your doctor may order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

  • Ask about any medications you’re taking.
  • Ask about recent activities or injuries.
  • Order imaging tests if needed.
  • Perform a physical exam.
  • Review your health history.

Tests to diagnose Morton’s neuroma

In most cases, your doctor can diagnose Morton’s neuroma after examining your foot.

However, your doctor may order imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

  • CT scan — A CT scan is a test that creates images of your bones, nerves, and tissues.
  • MRI scans — MRI is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within your body.
  • Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create images of your bones, nerves, and tissues.

Morton’s neuroma prognosis

In most people, nonsurgical treatment is effective for managing Morton’s neuroma symptoms. However, surgery to remove the thickened tissue may be needed if your symptoms worsen over time.

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How Do You Treat Morton’s Neuroma?

The goals of Morton’s neuroma treatment are to reduce symptoms, restore your mobility, and improve your quality of life. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan based on the cause of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.

Treatment options may include:

Nonsurgical care

If you have Morton’s neuroma that is causing mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend at-home, nonsurgical care, including:

  • Heat and/or ice.
  • Over-the-counter medications to manage pain.
  • Physical therapy.
  • Rest.

What is the best painkiller for Morton’s neuroma?

Several over-the-counter painkillers can help you manage Morton’s neuroma pain, although they are not typically recommended for long-term use. Your doctor will let you know which over-the-counter painkiller is safe for you and will provide the best relief for your symptoms.

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as:

  • Avoiding high heels and tight shoes.
  • Padding or taping the ball of your foot.
  • Reducing time on your feet, either temporarily or permanently.
  • Stretching to relieve pain.
  • Wearing shoe inserts (orthotics).

Injections for Morton’s neuroma

If your Morton’s neuroma pain is severe and has not responded to other treatments, your doctor may recommend shots to inject an anti-inflammatory steroid medication or a nerve-blocking medication into the affected part of your foot.

Surgery for Morton’s neuroma

Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the thickened tissue and treat the inflamed nerve that is causing your Morton’s neuroma symptoms.

Surgical treatment options include:

  • Cryogenic surgery — Also called cryogenic neuroablation, this procedure freezes and destroys damaged nerves.
  • Decompression surgery — A procedure to reduce pressure on the nerve by removing surrounding tissue.
  • Neurectomy — A procedure to remove part of the nerve.

How long does it take to recover after surgery for Morton’s neuroma?

Although recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure you have, most people are back to their normal activities within a few weeks of their procedure. Your doctor will let you know what you can expect for your recovery.

Why choose UPMC for Morton’s neuroma care?

When you choose UPMC for your Morton’s neuroma care, you will receive:

  • Access to world-class orthopaedic expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of foot and nerve disorders using the latest surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
  • Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your foot pain and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
  • A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical care, as well as minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches, depending on your individual care needs.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-02-28.