Morton's Neuroma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Morton's Neuroma?
An orthopaedic surgeon, a bone and joint doctor, usually treats Morton's neuroma. Many are foot and ankle specialists. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is Morton's neuroma?
Morton's neuroma is a thickening of the tissue around a small nerve that leads to the toes. Despite its name, it is not a true tumor. It most often develops between the third and fourth toes. It can also develop between the second and third toes, but this happens less often.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is pain or discomfort in the ball of the foot. Normally, there is no lump or skin color change that you can see.
Other symptoms can include:
- Burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot that may spread into the toes, especially when you walk or run.
- A feeling like you are walking on a pebble or marble.
- Numbness or tingling in the toes.
- Toe cramping.
- A clicking feeling in the toes.
- Pain that gets worse over time.
Pain may worsen when you push off the front of the foot, as in running. High-heeled shoes and tight, narrow shoes can make it worse.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause is not known. Current research suggests the nerve is squeezed in the web space between the toes. That squeeze may cause swelling and abnormal tissue to form in and around the nerve. It often starts in response to irritation, trauma, or too much pressure.
Health care providers believe these things may play a role:
- Wearing tight shoes and high heels.
- Abnormal positioning of the toes.
- Flat feet.
- Forefoot problems, including bunions and hammer toes.
- High foot arches.
Morton's neuroma is around 8 times more common in women than in men. It typically affects people between 30 and 60 years old, though it can happen outside this age range.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider can usually diagnose this problem by examining your foot. Squeezing the forefoot or toes together can bring on the symptoms. Your doctor may also feel for a click between the toes, called a Mulder's click.
Sometimes a doctor injects a numbing medicine into the space between the toes. If the pain goes away right away, that can confirm the diagnosis. X-rays can rule out a stress fracture or arthritis. Ultrasound is the preferred way to look for problems linked to Morton's neuroma. An MRI, a scan that takes detailed pictures inside the body, is usually not needed.
Treatment
Nonsurgical treatment is tried first. Your provider may recommend:
- Shoe changes. Avoid high heels and tight, narrow shoes. Choose wider shoes with lower heels and a soft sole.
- Orthotics, which are shoe inserts, and pads. They spread pressure across the forefoot and take pressure off the neuroma.
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce swelling. They are not recommended for long-term treatment.
- Cortisone shots. A corticosteroid injection can reduce swelling and inflammation of the nerve and give some relief.
- Physical therapy.
- Nerve procedures that disrupt pain signals, such as heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold (cryoablation). Long-term results are still being studied.
Studies show that many people get long-term relief with a mix of shoe changes, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and steroid shots. Nonsurgical treatment does not always work.
If symptoms do not improve within 3 to 6 months, or if they come back, your surgeon may recommend surgery. The surgeon may release the tissue around the nerve to take pressure off it, or remove the diseased part of the nerve. Removing part of the nerve has risks, including permanent numbness and a new nerve lump called a stump neuroma. Most studies report an 80 to 95% success rate for surgery. Most people can wear normal shoes again about 4 weeks after surgery. Plans differ, so follow your surgeon's instructions.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you have constant pain or tingling in your foot or toe area. See an orthopaedic surgeon if you have continued pain, tingling, or discomfort in your forefoot.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can look at your foot, review your shoes and medicines, and refer you to a foot and ankle specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is Morton's neuroma a tumor?
No, it is not a true tumor. It is a thickening of the tissue around a small nerve.
Is Morton's neuroma more common in women?
Yes. It is around 8 times more common in women than in men.
Can Morton's neuroma get better without surgery?
Often it can. Studies show that many people get long-term relief with a mix of shoe changes, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and steroid shots. But nonsurgical treatment does not always work.
Will an untreated Morton's neuroma cause long-term damage?
Usually not. FootCareMD says it does not cause long-term damage, and often the swelling around the nerve calms down with wider shoes, a cortisone injection, or time. But pain can get worse over time, so contact your provider if you have constant pain or tingling.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
