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Morton’s Neuroma is a painful condition that affects the metatarsal, most often the place between the third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma can feel like you’re standing on a pebble in your shoe or a fold in your sock. It involves a thinning of the tissue around one of the conductive nerves of the toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the metatarsal. The toes can also itch, burn, or fall asleep. High-heeled shoes have been linked to the development of Morton’s Neuroma. Many people experience relief by switching to low-heeled shoes with wider insoles. Sometimes corticosteroid injections or surgery are necessary.
In general, this condition has no outward signs, such as lumps. However, you may experience these symptoms:
A feeling of having a pebble in your shoe
Intense burning on the ball of the foot, which may extend to the toes
Tingling or numbness in the toes
You should not ignore foot pain if a few days go by and it does not get better. Consult your doctor if you feel intense burning in the ball of your foot and it does not improve after changing your shoes and modifying activities that may cause tension in your foot.
Factors that appear to contribute to Morton’s Neuroma include:
High heels. Wearing high heels, tight shoes, or shoes with poor calcium can put extra pressure on
your toes and the sole of your foot.
Certain sports. Participating in high-impact athletic activities such as jogging or running can subject your feet to repeated injury. Sports that involve tight shoes, such as snow skiing or mountain climbing, can put pressure on your toes.
Foot deformities. People who have bunions, hammertoes, pes cavus, or flat feet are at greater risk
for developing Morton’s neuroma.
