25/09/2026
Forefoot Pain? It Could Be a Morton's Neuroma
A Morton's neuroma is a thickening of tissue surrounding a nerve in the forefoot, most commonly occurring between the third and fourth toes.
Common Symptoms
· Burning pain in the ball of the foot
· Sharp or electric shock-like pain
· Numbness or tingling in the toes
· Feeling like they are "walking on a pebble" or "a folded sock"
· Symptoms worsening in tight shoes and improving when shoes are removed
What can cause this?
· Tight or narrow footwear
· High-heeled shoes
· Forefoot overload
· Foot deformities (e.g. hallux valgus, flat feet, cavus feet)
· Repetitive sporting activities
· Instability of the adjacent metatarsals
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a clinical examination and may be supported by imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.
Treatment Options
· Footwear modifications
· Padding and orthotic therapy
· Activity modification
· Anti-inflammatory measures
· Corticosteroid injections
· Surgical removal when conservative treatment fails
Not all forefoot pain is a Morton's neuroma. Other conditions such as metatarsalgia, bursitis, stress fractures, plantar plate injuries, arthritis, or nerve entrapment can produce similar symptoms. A thorough assessment is important to determine the correct diagnosis. If you're experiencing persistent forefoot pain, an assessment can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.