Morton's neuroma

Check if you have Morton's neuroma

The main symptoms of Morton's neuroma include:

• a shooting, stabbing or burning pain
• feeling like a small stone is stuck under your foot

Some people may also have tingling or numbness in their foot.

The symptoms may be worse when you move your foot or wear tight or high-heeled shoes. It often gets worse over time.

It occurs most often at about 55 years of age. It is over 4 times more common in women than in men.

How you can ease the pain yourself

If you go to your GP, they'll usually suggest you try these things first:

Do:

• rest and raise your foot when you can
• hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes every few hours
• take ibuprofen or paracetamol
• wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
• use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes
• try to lose weight if you're overweight

Do not:

• wear high heels or tight, pointy shoes

A pharmacist can help

You can ask a pharmacist about:

• the best painkiller to take
• soft pads or insoles for your shoes – ask for metatarsal pads

When to see your GP

You should see your GP if:

• the pain is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities
• the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
• the pain hasn't improved after treating it yourself for 2 weeks
• you have any tingling or numbness in your foot
• you have diabetes as foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

Pain levels

Severe pain:

• always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talk
• you can’t sleep
• it’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress

Moderate pain:

• always there
• makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
• you can manage to get up, wash or dress

Mild pain:

• comes and goes
• is annoying but doesn’t stop you doing things like going to work

Treatment for Morton's neuroma

Your GP can:

• look at your foot to see if it's Morton's neuroma
• refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment

Treatment from a foot specialist

Treatments from a foot specialist, such as a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon, may include:

• specially made soft pads or insoles to take pressure off the painful area of your foot
• painkilling injections
• non-surgical treatments, such as using heat to treat the nerve (radiofrequency ablation)
• foot surgery if you have very severe symptoms or other treatments aren't working

Referral to a podiatrist on the health services may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long.

You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Causes of Morton's neuroma

Morton's neuroma is caused by an irritated or damaged nerve between the toe bones.

It's often linked to:

• wearing tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes
• doing a lot of running, or other sports or activities that place pressure on the feet
• having other foot problems, such as flat feet, high arches, bunions or hammer toes

More useful links

• How to use your health services