Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT

Morton's Neuroma

Burning or numbness in the ball of the foot may be Morton’s neuroma. Explore shoe changes and injection options with Dr. Paul Tortland, DO.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Condition

What is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton's neuroma is a thickened nerve between the toes that feels like a pebble under the ball of your foot, with burning, tingling or numbness. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes. Wider shoes and padding come first. Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, uses ultrasound to guide an injection or nerve hydrodissection if pain stays. Small studies show steroid injections help most people for months, but some still need surgery.

Explore related conditions: Browse the Foot and ankle condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.

CARE OPTIONS

How is Morton’s neuroma treated?

Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland can assess whether symptoms fit Morton’s neuroma and whether ultrasound-guided care is appropriate. ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection may be considered in selected nerve-related cases, but evidence for hydrodissection in Morton’s neuroma is limited; treatment should be matched to the diagnosis.

Physical therapy and traditional care: Initial options often include a wider toe-box shoe, avoiding high heels or forefoot pressure, metatarsal pads or orthotics, and activity modification. A clinician may discuss a targeted corticosteroid or other injection if symptoms persist.

When other care may be needed: Persistent burning, numbness, or pain that limits walking may warrant a foot-and-ankle specialist’s assessment. Surgery is considered for selected cases after non-surgical options fail.

Common questions

Questions about morton's neuroma

What causes Morton's neuroma?

Morton's neuroma is thickening of tissue around a nerve between the toes, most often between the third and fourth. Tight or narrow shoes, high heels, and repetitive forefoot pressure may contribute.

What are the symptoms of Morton's neuroma?

People often feel burning or sharp forefoot pain, tingling or numbness in the toes, or a sensation of a pebble under the ball of the foot, usually worse in tight shoes.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for Morton's neuroma?

Initial options include wider toe-box footwear, metatarsal pads or orthotics, and reducing activities that compress the forefoot. A clinician may discuss a targeted injection if symptoms continue. Persistent burning or walking limitation warrants reassessment and sometimes foot-and-ankle specialist review.

What regenerative options may help Morton's neuroma?

Hydrodissection is not an established treatment for every Morton’s neuroma, and evidence is limited. Dr. Tortland may evaluate the nerve and surrounding structures and discuss selected image-guided options when appropriate. Footwear changes and pressure relief are usually considered first.