(08) 7008 7566
(08) 7118 5399
physio@upplus.com.au
177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton SA 5023Morton's Neuroma
Morton's neuroma is a thickening of a nerve between the toes, most often between the third and fourth. It produces burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot and the sensation of a stone in the shoe. Narrow footwear both provokes and worsens it, which means the single most useful change is often the simplest one.
What causes it
- Narrow or pointed footwear compressing the forefoot
- High heels increasing pressure through the ball of the foot
- High-impact activity, particularly running
- Foot shape that loads the forefoot heavily
- Bunions or other deformity crowding the toes
What you might notice
- Burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot
- A sensation of standing on a pebble or a folded sock
- Numbness or tingling in the affected toes
- Relief on removing the shoe and rubbing the foot — very characteristic
- Symptoms clearly worse in narrow shoes
How we treat it
- Footwear change to a wider toe box, which is often most of the answer
- Offloading padding to spread the metatarsal heads
- Foot and calf strengthening
- Manual therapy and nerve mobilisation through the forefoot
- Activity and load modification
- Referral for injection or a surgical opinion where it persists
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.
Often the shoes are most of the problem
A wider toe box changes this for a lot of people. If it has not, there is more we can do before injections come into it.
Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.