Morton's Neuroma - Onychomycosis 
 

What is a Morton’s neuroma?

A Morton’s neuroma is inflammation on a nerve in your foot. More specifically, it’s an enlargement in the interdigital nerves between the metatarsal bones that connect your foot to your third and fourth toes (your middle toes closest to your pinkie toe). Some healthcare providers refer to Morton’s neuromas as intermetatarsal neuromas or interdigital neuromas.

If you have a Morton’s neuroma, the affected nerve is thickened and swollen. This can make it painful or hard to walk. You’ll usually feel pain on the ball of your foot, between your toes. It might feel like there’s a stone in your shoe or you’re stepping on a marble.

Visit a Podiatrist if you notice any new pain or swelling in your feet. Getting treatment for Morton’s neuroma is important. The neuroma can become larger and cause permanent nerve damage if it’s not treated.

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Is Morton’s neuroma a tumor?

The “neuroma” in Morton’s neuroma is slightly misleading. Neuromas are noncancerous (benign) tumors that form on nerves throughout the body. They grow extra nerve tissue alongside your healthy regular nerve.

A Morton’s neuroma isn’t new tissue growing on a nerve on your foot. It’s not really a tumor. Instead, your existing nerve tissue swells and thickens. Morton’s neuromas aren’t a symptom of cancer. They also don’t cause cancer.

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How common are Morton’s neuromas?

Morton’s neuromas are common. Experts estimate that around 1 in 3 people has a Morton’s neuroma at some point in their life.

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Main symptoms and Causes

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What are Morton’s neuroma symptoms?

The most common symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include:

• Pain between your toes when you stand or walk.

• Pain that’s worse when you wear high-heeled shoes or stand on the balls of your feet.

• Swelling between your toes.

• Tingling (feeling pins and needles) and numbness in your foot.

Morton’s neuroma symptoms usually get worse over time. You might notice some minor pain at first that goes away with rest or after you take off your shoe and massage your foot. As the inflammation on your affected nerve gets worse, your symptoms will become more noticeable.

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What does Morton’s neuroma pain feel like?

Morton’s neuroma pain is usually sharp, stinging or burning. It can also feel like you’re stepping on something. It might feel like:

• Your sock is bunched up in your shoe.

• There’s a small rock stuck in your shoe.

• You’re stepping on a marble or stone under the ball of your foot.

 

What causes Morton’s neuromas?

Morton’s neuromas form when a nerve between your toe bones is irritated and swells. Experts aren’t always certain what causes the inflammation, but they think pressure on your toes, the nerves between them and the ball of your foot is the most common cause. Certain activities may increase your risk of developing a Morton’s neuroma, including:

• Wearing high heels or shoes with narrow, pointed toes.

• Playing a sport that requires you to put a lot of pressure on the balls of your feet, like running, tennis or other racquet sports.

• Doing physical work that requires you to be on your feet all day.

 

Certain health conditions that affect your feet might make you more likely to develop a Morton’s neuroma, including:

• Flat feet.

• High arch feet.

• Bunions.

• Hammertoes.

• Foot injuries (like from a sports injury or trauma).

 

What happens if a Morton’s neuroma is left untreated?

If a Morton’s neuroma isn’t treated, it can cause nerve damage or chronic pain in your affected foot. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any Morton’s neuroma symptoms. The sooner a provider diagnoses and treats a Morton’s neuroma, the less likely it is you’ll experience complications.

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Diagnosis and Tests

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How are Morton’s neuromas diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will diagnose a Morton’s neuroma with a physical exam. You might need to visit a podiatrist, a healthcare provider who specializes in caring for your feet.

Your provider will examine your feet. Tell your provider when you first noticed symptoms and if any activities or positions make them worse.

Your provider will put light pressure on the spaces between your toe bones. They might ask you to stand, walk or move.

Which tests do providers use to diagnose Morton’s neuromas?

Your provider can usually diagnose a Morton’s neuroma based on your symptoms and a physical exam. A foot X-ray won’t show a neuroma. But it can help rule out other common conditions that cause foot pain, like stress fractures and arthritis.

Your provider might use an ultrasound to take pictures of your nerve and the area around it. If the ultrasound doesn’t give them a clear answer, they may recommend an electromyography procedure. This test measures the electrical activity of your nerves and muscles. It can rule out nerve conditions that can cause symptoms like those of Morton’s neuroma.

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