Morton's neuroma

Causes of Morton's Neuroma

What causes Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's neuroma occurs when one of the nerves between the toe bones becomes irritated, which causes it to become thicker. The exact cause of the irritation is unknown, but it may be caused by the nerve being squashed (compressed), stretched or damaged.

The condition has been linked to:

Wearing tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes
Beingactive and playing sportparticularly running or sports that involve running and placing pressure on the feet, such as racquet sports
Other foot problems, such as flat feet , high arches, bunions and hammer toes

It's not clear if these directly cause the condition or just make the symptoms worse.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 28 Nov 2016

Articles for morton's neuroma

Symptoms of Morton's Neuroma

You may initially experience a tingling sensation in the space between your toes, which gets worse over time. This eventually develops into a sharp shooting or burning pain in the ball of your foot or at the base of your toes.

Causes of Morton's Neuroma

Treatment of Morton's Neuroma

Treatment for Morton's neuroma will depend on how long you've had the condition and its severity. Simple non-surgical treatments are effective for some people. Others may need surgery.

When to get medical advice if you suspect Morton's neuroma?

It's a good idea to make an appointment to see a podiatrist (specialist in foot problems) if you have persistent symptoms of Morton's neuroma, as the conditions unlikely to improve on its own.

Introduction

Morton's neuroma is a condition that affects the nerves between the toes. Morton's neuroma can occur at any age, but most often affects middle-aged women. This may be because women tend to wear tight or high-heeled shoes that can put pressure on the feet.

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