Morton's neuroma

The main symptoms of Morton's neuroma include:

• a shooting, stabbing or burning pain between your 3rd and 4th toes
• feeling like a pebble or lump is stuck under your foot

Some people may also have tingling or numbness in their foot.

The symptoms may be worse when you move your foot or wear tight or high-heeled shoes. It often gets worse over time.

There are things you can try yourself to ease the pain if you have Morton's neuroma. A GP would usually suggest trying these things first.

• rest and raise your foot when you can

• take ibuprofen or paracetamol

• wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole

• use soft insoles or pads you put in your shoes

• try to lose weight if you're overweight

• avoid or reduce impact activities such as running and jumping

• do not wear tight, pointy shoes, high heels, or shoes with thin soles

• the best painkiller to take
• soft pads or insoles for your shoes – ask for metatarsal pads

• pain in your foot is severe or stopping you doing your normal activities
• the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
• the pain has not improved after treating it yourself for 2 weeks
• you have any tingling, weakness or numbness in your foot
• you're getting pain after a recent foot injury, or foot or ankle surgery

If you see a GP because you have symptoms of Morton's neuroma, they can:

• look at your foot to see if it's Morton's neuroma
• refer you to a foot specialist if they think you need further treatment

Treatment from a foot specialist

Treatments from a foot specialist, such as a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon, may include:

• specially made soft pads or insoles – to take pressure off the painful area of your foot
• steroid or alcohol injections, or foot surgery – if you have very severe symptoms or other treatments are not working

Referral to a podiatrist on the NHS may not be available to everyone and waiting times can be long.

You can pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Morton's neuroma is caused by an irritated or damaged nerve between the toe bones.

It's often linked to:

• wearing tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes
• doing a lot of running, or other sports or activities that place pressure on the feet
• having other foot problems – such as flat feet, high arches, bunions or hammer toes

The main symptoms of Morton's neuroma include pain between your 3rd and 4th toes and feeling like a pebble or lump is stuck under your foot.

There are things you can do yourself to ease pain caused by Morton's neuroma, including resting your foot and using soft insoles or painkillers.

A GP may refer you to a podiatrist or foot and ankle surgeon if they think Morton's neuroma needs further treatment, such as injections or surgery.

Morton's neuroma is caused by a problem with a nerve between the toes. It's linked to poorly-fitting shoes, over-exercising or other foot problems.