Morton's Neuroma Treatment in Chandler & Phoenix, AZ

Understanding Morton's Neuroma

Precise diagnosis — targeted relief.

Morton's neuroma is a painful thickening of nerve tissue — often mistaken for other causes of ball-of-foot pain. Getting the diagnosis right is the first step to getting the right treatment.

Morton's neuroma develops when the nerve running between the metatarsal bones — most often between the third and fourth toes — becomes compressed and irritated, causing the surrounding tissue to thicken. The result is a persistent burning or shooting pain in the forefoot.

The condition doesn't involve an actual tumor. The name refers to the neuroma (nerve thickening) described by surgeon Thomas Morton. It is far more common in women than men, largely due to footwear. Symptoms often improve immediately when shoes are removed — a key diagnostic clue.

Close-up macro of a human forefoot between the third and fourth toes showing subtle swelling, clinical medical photography

Causes & Symptoms

Why it happens — and how to spot it.

Narrow, pointed-toe shoes and high heels are the most common triggers — they compress the metatarsal bones together and squeeze the nerve between them. High-impact sports like running and tennis put repetitive stress on the ball of the foot, also aggravating the nerve.

Foot deformities — bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet — can alter the mechanics of the forefoot in ways that increase compression on the nerve. People with flat feet or high arches are at higher structural risk. A single traumatic event can also inflame the nerve and start the cycle.

Common warning signs

Burning, tingling, or numbness between the third and fourth toes
A sensation of walking on a pebble or marble
Pain in the ball of the foot that worsens with tight shoes
Relief of symptoms when barefoot or in wide shoes
An occasional clicking or catching sensation in the forefoot

Diagnosis & Treatment

Precise diagnosis. Personalized care.

Diagnosis combines physical examination — including specific compression tests — with diagnostic ultrasound to visualize the neuroma directly. Ultrasound guides both diagnosis and injection treatment, ensuring accuracy.

Most neuromas respond to conservative care: shoe modification, metatarsal padding, and cortisone or sclerosing alcohol injections. For neuromas that don't respond to injections, a minor surgical decompression or excision reliably eliminates the pain.

Podiatrist performing ultrasound-guided injection into the forefoot of a patient in a bright clinical setting

01 · Diagnosis

Exam & Ultrasound

Physical compression tests and diagnostic ultrasound confirm the neuroma, measure its size, and guide the most appropriate treatment path.

02 · Footwear

Shoe Modification & Padding

Wider shoes with a lower heel and a metatarsal pad just behind the ball of the foot relieve nerve compression immediately and are often all that's needed.

03 · Injections

Cortisone or Alcohol Injections

Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections reduce nerve inflammation. A series of sclerosing alcohol injections can shrink the neuroma permanently in many patients.

04 · Surgery

Surgical Decompression

When injections don't provide lasting relief, a minor outpatient procedure decompresses or removes the thickened nerve — with a high rate of complete pain resolution.

Questions, Answered

Morton's neuroma FAQ.

Straight answers to the questions we hear most often about Morton's neuroma and its treatment.

What does Morton's neuroma feel like?

Most patients describe burning or tingling between their third and fourth toes, or a sensation of standing on a small lump or pebble. The pain is often worst in tight shoes and typically eases when you take them off.

Can I treat it myself?

Switching to wider shoes and adding a metatarsal pad helps many mild neuromas. But if the burning or numbness is persistent, a professional diagnosis is important — several conditions mimic neuroma symptoms and require different treatment.

Are cortisone injections effective?

Yes, for many patients. Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections reduce inflammation around the nerve and relieve pain in the majority of cases. Some patients need more than one injection; others benefit from a series of sclerosing alcohol injections that shrink the nerve tissue.

Is surgery often necessary?

Surgery is a last resort — the majority of neuromas are managed successfully without it. For the small percentage who don't respond to injections, surgical decompression or excision is highly effective.

Will the neuroma come back after surgery?

Recurrence after surgical excision is uncommon. Some patients experience residual numbness in the affected toes, which is generally well tolerated. We discuss expected outcomes in detail before any procedure.

Relieve the burning,
get back on your feet.

Precise diagnosis — targeted relief.

Why it happens — and how to spot it.

Common warning signs

Precise diagnosis. Personalized care.

Exam & Ultrasound

Shoe Modification & Padding

Cortisone or Alcohol Injections

Surgical Decompression

Morton's neuroma FAQ.

Patients who felt every step — and walked out comfortable.

Treat your neuroma — step into comfortable shoes again.

Relieve the burning,get back on your feet.

Precise diagnosis — targeted relief.

Why it happens — and how to spot it.

Common warning signs

Precise diagnosis. Personalized care.

Exam & Ultrasound

Shoe Modification & Padding

Cortisone or Alcohol Injections

Surgical Decompression

Morton's neuroma FAQ.

Patients who felt every step — and walked out comfortable.

Treat your neuroma — step into comfortable shoes again.

Relieve the burning,
get back on your feet.