Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot. The most common area is between your third and fourth toes, although it can happen in the spaces between any of your toes. It is also known as metatarsalgia, which is an umbrella term for pain in the forefoot.
Morton’s neuroma involves the thickening or irritation of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. It can feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe. Wearing tight shoes or walking barefoot on a hard surface can make it feel worse. You may also have stinging, numbing, and burning discomfort in the affected toes.
Morton’s neuroma is often treated with a change in your footwear to a wider, softer and lower-heeled shoe. Foot orthotics and the use of padding to deflect pressure away from the affected area may also be necessary. Additionally, the use of shockwave therapy to reduce pain sensitivity and stimulate healing has been shown to be effective.
