Neuromas FAQs

Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that is sometimes referred to as a nerve tumor or pinched nerve. The benign growth of nerve tissue is typically found between the third and fourth toes.

The most common symptoms of neuromas and nerve issues include:

• A tingling or numb feeling in your toes or feet
• Swelling between your toes
• A painful feeling when you walk
• Pain between your toes
• Burning pain in your feet

The cause of Morton’s neuroma is a damaged nerve between the toe bones causes Morton’s neuroma. Some of the most common ways to irritate or damage a nerve in the toe include:

• Wearing high heel shoes
• Putting excessive pressure on the ball of your foot
• A congenital foot problem

A painful neuroma is a benign tumor of the nerve. A Morton’s neuroma is an inflamed, swollen nerve typically located between toe bones.

Morton’s neuroma is most seen in adults but sometimes seen in teens as well. Women are more likely to get Morton’s neuroma due to their common shoe types. People that participate in high-impact athletic activities are more prone to foot trauma.

We can usually diagnose Morton’s neuroma based on a physical examination and your symptoms. We may also perform an x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to confirm Morton’s neuroma diagnosis.

We customize neuroma and nerve issue treatment with the severity of each neuroma. Your podiatric physician at Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists in Sugar Land will examine your Morton’s neuroma and recommend a treatment plan. The most common types of treatment for neuromas include:

• Resting and icing your feet
• Specialized foot pads to ease pain and discomfort
• Customized orthotics
• Cortisone injections
• Morton’s neuroma surgery for severe cases

Morton’s neuroma treatment at home includes:

• Using shoe pads to help relieve pressure
• Wearing supportive shoes with a wide toe box, shock-absorbent soles, and proper insoles
• Placing an ice pack on toes to reduce swelling and pain
• Resting and massaging feet
• Avoiding activities that put excessive pressure on feet

The most common complication after Morton’s neuromas treatment is a neuroma recurrence. The nerve will not return, but the stump forms a bulb that may be painful. After Neuromas surgery, patients sometimes have areas of numbness on the bottom of their feet. Most complications involving numbness disappear over time. 

Your foot will remain in a surgical dressing for a few weeks while the tissues heal. We will provide a post-operative shoe to offer complete healing. It will take about two months to return to an active lifestyle.

It is rare to have more than one neuroma in your foot simultaneously, but it can happen.