Morton’s Neuroma Chronic Foot Pain

Understanding Morton's Neuroma

What is Morton’s Neuroma?

When foot pain, burning, or tingling is caused by the entrapment or squeezing of a toe nerve, it is known as Morton’s neuroma, a condition affecting the ball of the foot. Many patients describe the feeling as “walking on a marble” or feeling as if there is a rock in their shoe. With Morton’s neuroma, foot pain and discomfort can make walking or even standing difficult and unpleasant. Over time, the pressure can lead to permanent nerve damage, so seeking timely treatment is important for lasting relief.

Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma

If you develop Morton’s neuroma, your symptoms may be mild at first. You may even notice that pain dissipates after rest or taking off your shoe. However, as the swelling and inflammation increase and put more pressure on the nerve, your pain will become increasingly worse. Some of the most common Morton Neuroma symptoms patients may experience include:

Pain or burning between the toes when walking or standing
Foot numbness or tingling
Swelling between your toes
A feeling of stepping on a marble or stone
Feeling like something is stuck in your sock or shoe

Causes

Morton’s neuromas result from the inflammation of nerves and tissue between your toes bones. While doctors have yet to identify a direct cause for this inflammation, it likely results from pressure on the ball of your foot, your toes, and the nerves between them.

Certain activities and health conditions may make you more likely to develop a Morton’s neuroma, including:

Diabetes
Wearing narrow footwear such as high heels
Work that requires you to be on your feet all-day
Playing sports that involve putting pressure on the balls of your feet
Having flat feet or high arches
Having previous foot injuries

Testing & Diagnosis

Various conditions can cause foot pain, so getting an accurate diagnosis is essential for proper treatment. There are a few approaches our doctors take to test for and diagnose Morton’s neuroma.

We will perform a physical examination, where the doctor will evaluate for areas sensitive to touch and assess your range of motion.
The doctor may order X-rays to rule out arthritis or fractures.
We may use advanced imaging, such as MRI, to confirm your diagnosis.
The doctor may want to perform a nerve test known as electromyography (EMG), which measures electrical activity in the nerves and muscles.

Treatment

When the discomfort associated with Morton’s neuroma becomes too much, we’re here to help. Our world-class surgeons offer groundbreaking techniques to alleviate your pain and enhance your quality of life. Treatment for Morton’s neuroma often begins with conservative measures and can progress to surgical interventions, if necessary. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment option for you, which can include:

Lifestyle Changes

Making lifestyle changes offers many patients relief from their symptoms. We often recommend footwear changes, such as wider, more comfortable shoes, or orthotic devices, which can be custom-made. Massaging the foot, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and performing foot exercises can help to relieve the discomfort.

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroids offer temporary relief from the pain and discomfort of a neuroma. They are injected into the area of the neuroma to reduce swelling and inflammation, lessening pressure on the nerve and resulting in less pain. The injections can be repeated several times a year.

Nerve Decompression Surgery

When pain persists despite conservative measures, we offer surgical decompression of the trapped nerve. The procedure allows our surgeons to release pressure on the nerve from thickened tissue to eliminate the source of the pain.

We typically perform Morton's neuroma nerve surgery under general anesthesia. We will send you home with a surgical shoe or brace, though we recommend resting as much as possible in the days following the surgery, as well as icing and elevating your foot to help with pain and inflammation.

Recovering from Morton's neuroma surgery can take some time. Most patients can resume wearing their own comfortable footwear in 2 to 4 weeks when the swelling subsides. Many patients report relief of symptoms in 3 to 6 months, though complete recovery can take up to a year or more.

Our Doctors

As proven innovators in the field of plastic reconstructive surgery, the doctors and surgeons at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction are well-equipped to provide innovative treatment for Morton’s neuroma. Our Morton’s neuroma specialists will help you regain your mobility and pain-free living.

Physician

Michael Rose

MD, FACS

Insurance

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction participates in a wide range of insurance plans, including those listed below. However, each physician has their own accepted insurance and hospital affiliations. Before scheduling an appointment, please contact your insurance carrier to confirm that your provider is in-network.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Medicare
Railroad Medicare
Aetna
Cigna
United Healthcare
Oxford (Freedom, Liberty)
MagnaCare

Patient Stories

If walking or even standing is painful due to Morton's neuroma, you're not alone. Find out how other patients just like you have alleviated their discomfort after Morton's neuroma treatment at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.

Maeve's Story - Nerve Decompression Surgery

Maeve's Story - Nerve Decompression

Janki's Life-Changing Nerve Neuroma Surgery with Dr. Ibrahim

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Patient Resources

If you are struggling to walk with ease as a result of foot drop, you’re not alone. Find out how other patients just like you have recovered the full use of their feet after foot drop treatment at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction.

Visit our patient resource page for important forms and information about Morton's neuroma.

Resources

Find out if you’re a candidate for nerve surgery.

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction has locations all over the nation with expert surgeons ready to help you.

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction has locations nationwide with expert surgeons ready to help you. If you are experiencing pain and discomfort from Morton's neuroma, nerve surgery may be an effective treatment option for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our Morton's neuroma specialists and determine if you qualify for advanced treatment.

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