Have you ever felt like your sock is bunched up under the ball of your foot, or like you have a pebble or foreign object in your shoe, along with a burning sensation in your toes?

If you feel this type of discomfort or pain, you may have a Morton’s neuroma. This condition is a thickening or enlargement of the nerve tissue in the ball of the foot. It’s also sometimes called intermetatarsal neuroma.

Neuromas often form when the nerve is irritated or compressed. Sometimes tight shoes cause them. Runners and joggers sometimes develop them because of the repeated pressure that occurs when feet hit the pavement with every stride. Female joggers can be especially at risk, because running on hard, paved surfaces and then switching to high heels with narrow toes puts a lot of stress on the feet.

Most neuromas begin gradually, and you may be able to eliminate the pain temporarily by massaging your foot, wearing comfortable shoes or taking a break from running. Unfortunately, neuromas tend to worsen over time as the temporary changes in the nerve become permanent.

Early intervention is important. Come in to our office when you start to have symptoms. A thorough evaluation will determine whether your discomfort is due to a neuroma or another condition. If treated early enough, non-invasive therapies such as padding, orthotics or shoe modifications may help you to get back to enjoying your favorite springtime activities.