Book online

Morton’s neuroma: information and treatment options

September 12, 2017

Updated September, 12th, 2025

What is Morton’s neuroma?

Morton’s neuroma is a nerve irritation that causes a thickening of the tissue in your foot. Most neuromas affect the area under and between your third and fourth toes. However, they can also affect the second and third toes — and, more rarely, the fourth and fifth toes.

What causes Morton’s neuroma?

The cause of Morton’s neuroma is not well understood and there is very little evidence to suggest a consistent cause. But here’s what we do know.

The condition develops when a nerve between the long bones of your foot becomes irritated or damaged. Your body responds by thickening the tissue around the nerve to protect it. This creates a non-cancerous lump, called a neuroma.

Morton’s neuroma is more common in women than men. It may be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight and compress the nerve. Or by repetitive force on the foot, like athletics, dancing, or running.

It’s also been linked to other foot problems, including flat feet, bunions, high arches and hammer toes.

What does Morton’s neuroma feel like?

The symptoms of Morton’s neuroma tend to appear gradually, then progress.

At first, the area might feel slightly numb and you may start to feel a tingling sensation.

As the tissue thickens and the lump forms, you might feel a bump under your toe. Patients liken this feeling to walking on pebbles or having something in your shoe.

Over time, the neuroma can develop into more intense pain. Some people describe burning or shooting pains in their foot. Others have a sharp or stabbing pain in the ball of their foot. It might hurt every time you stand, or walk for more than a few minutes.

How is Morton’s neuroma diagnosed?

There are a number of other conditions that affect the toes and ball of your foot, so it’s important to get an accurate and conclusive diagnosis.

Morton’s neuroma can be diagnosed by a podiatrist.

Your podiatrist will start by talking through your symptoms and medical history. They’ll then perform a clinical examination.

If the clinical examination doesn’t result in a clear diagnosis, your podiatrist might refer you for more tests, such as an ultrasound scan.

Does Morton’s neuroma go away by itself?

If left untreated, your Morton’s neuroma could become more painful, limiting your activities and quality of life. So getting the right treatment is always recommended.

How to relieve Morton’s neuroma

You can relieve the symptoms of Morton’s neuroma by changing your footwear and switching to non-weight-bearing exercise.

Change your footwear

If you’ve been wearing narrow, pointy or high-heeled shoes, this could be compressing the nerve and worsening the pain.

Instead, choose shoes with a:

Wide toe box, to give your toes more space
Rocker sole, which curves up at the front
Secure fastening, like laces or velcro
Low, wide heel.

Footwear like this will relieve pressure on the nerve. It will also ensure your shoes stay secure on your feet, so you’re not holding them on by clenching your toes.

Choose non-weight-bearing exercise

Staying active is important. But running, walking and sports can aggravate the neuroma.

Non-weight-bearing exercise, like cycling, swimming and rowing will help you stay active when the neuroma is painful.

Morton’s neuroma treatment at Hatt Clinic

There are many treatments available for neuromas. Here’s what we can offer at Hatt Clinic.

Injection therapy

Sometimes, an injection of steroid and local anaesthetic into the neuroma and around it, can relieve the pain and stop the neuroma from developing.

Orthotics

Orthotics can help to alleviate pressure on the nerve. To see if this is a viable option for you, your podiatrist will perform a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis.

Surgery referrals

If necessary, our podiatrists can refer you for surgery to treat your Morton’s neuroma. There are two surgical options.

Traditional surgery

When the pain warrants it, you can have the neuroma removed by a small operation. This is usually done under local anaesthetic, in an outpatient setting.

Cryosurgery for Morton’s neuroma

Cryosurgery is less invasive than traditional surgery. Rather than excising the neuroma, it uses extreme cold to break down the thickened tissue.

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic and has a success rate equivalent to the traditional surgical method. It’s also a quicker procedure, with a faster recovery time and minimal scarring.

How much is cryosurgery for Morton’s neuroma?

Cryosurgery for Morton’s neuroma is a private procedure, which means the cost isn’t fixed. Depending on where you have the procedure, it could cost you anything, from £500 to over £2000.