Have you ever felt like there's a pebble in your shoe that you just can't shake? If you've checked your socks and found nothing, that sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot might be a Morton's neuroma.
Morton’s neuroma develops when a nerve situated between two bones in the ball of the foot becomes irritated and swells, pressing into adjacent structures.
Board-certified podiatrist Leonard Greenwald, DPM, located in San Jose, California, knows how bothersome this condition can be. It occurs when the bones in your foot press on the nerve over time, irritating and inflaming it.
The good news is that you don't have to live with the electric shocks or tingling. Most people find relief by changing a few simple habits and getting the right support.
A neuroma doesn't usually cause a visible lump on the outside of your foot. Instead, it's all about how it feels. You might feel like you're constantly stepping on a marble or a folded-up sock.
This pain often gets worse when you're walking or wearing tight shoes, and it might feel better as soon as you take your shoes off and rub your foot.
During an exam, we look for specific signs like a Mulder's click, which is an audible click we can feel when we gently squeeze your foot bones together. We also look for the Sullivan sign, where your toes naturally splay apart because the inflamed nerve is taking up too much space.
Imaging studies show that some people have neuromas that appear on scans but never cause symptoms, which is why a hands‑on exam is essential.
The most important thing you can do is audit your shoe closet. The primary goal of treatment is to take the physical pressure off the nerve.
This means ditching narrow, pointed toes and high heels that force your weight onto the ball of your foot. You'll want to look for shoes with a wide toe box that lets your toes spread out naturally.
There are several other ways you can manage the irritation on your own:
You can use small pads placed just behind the ball of your foot. This lifts the bones and opens up the space where the nerve is trapped.
Tightness in your calf can force you to put too much weight on your forefoot. Daily wall stretches can help redistribute that load.
Rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle for 15 minutes can simultaneously massage the tissue and reduce nerve inflammation.
Using your toes to scrunch a towel on the floor helps build the small muscles that support your foot's arch.
If your pain doesn't go away after switching shoes, it's time for professional help. The next step may be custom orthotics that support proper foot alignment and reduce pressure on your nerves.
For persistent cases, receiving one or more corticosteroid injections can provide rapid pain relief by reducing nerve inflammation and swelling.
Surgery is always our last resort, reserved only for when your nerve is too damaged to respond to other treatments.
Dr. Greenwald has spent over 40 years helping patients get back to the activities they love. He understands that every foot is different, and we work with you to find the right plan.
You don't have to suffer through every step. Reach out to schedule an appointment with Dr. Greenwald today. Call our office or book through our easy-to-use online tool to take the first step toward pain-free walking.
