• Enlargement of normal benign nerve tissue caused by compressive forces.    
  • Women who wear high heels, pointed tip, shoes or tight shoes. 
  • History of blunt trauma.
  • People who work on ladders or transport heavy objects.
  • Runners, joggers, ballet dancers, athletes who wear tight shoes.
  • Metatarsalgia (swelling, numbness, or burning) on the ball of the foot.

​​Morton's neuroma is a thickening of tissues around the nerve that leads to the toes. Morton's neuroma usually develops between the third and fourth toes in response to irritation, such as that caused by wearing high-heeled or narrow shoes, or from trauma. The pain can be quite intense, and the patient frequently needs to remove their shoes to massage the area. Sometimes the pain feels like an electric shock shooting into the toes.

Morton's Neuroma - Diagnostic

​Morton’s Neuroma or Morton’s Syndrome is a very common neurological condition. It is considered a nerve entrapment neuropathy, causing symptoms relating to impingement of the common plantar digital and proper plantar digital nerves. A neuroma is an enlarged, benign growth of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas are caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating the nerves. This problem mostly affects women aged 50 years old or more.

  • X-Rays - to eliminate other pathologies ie. Fracture, Arthritis.
  • MRI - Best test to diagnose an increase in nerve tissue mass (Neuroma).
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound- can give adequate images of neuromas and is less costly than an MRI.

Morton's Syndrome - Possible Causes

Morton's Neuroma Symptoms

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The medical treatment of this problem includes the application of ice 10-12 minutes per hour. Apply the ice to the ball of the foot. In certain cases, the problem needs to be managed by surgery but most cases resolve with conservative treatments.


Orthotics are very effective in relieving symptoms and preventing further problems. Most cases that go onto surgery can be managed by minimal incision surgery. In the case of a very large neuroma, a larger incision may be necessary to completely excise the lesion. Recovery time after the surgery is on average about 2 weeks.

Morton's Neuroma Treatments

  • Wider shoes with adequate space for the toes and good arch support.
  • Custom-made orthotics with a metatarsal pad/bar can relieve the pressure by increasing the space between the metatarsal to relieve the compression of the nerve.
  • Cortisone injections with local anesthesia.
  • Surgical excision of the neuroma or surgical decompression by cutting the deep transverse metatarsal ligament.
  • The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia in a Podiatrists office.

Morton's Neuroma Causes

Pain in the area between the arch and toes, or ball of the foot, is generally called metatarsalgia. The pain usually centers on one or more of the five bones (metatarsals) in this mid-portion of the foot. Also known as dropped metatarsal heads, metatarsalgia can cause abnormal weight distribution due to overpronation.

Metatarsalgia occurs when one of the metatarsal joints becomes painful or inflamed. People often develop a callus under the affected joint. Metatarsalgia also can be caused by arthritis, foot injury (from sports, a car accident, or repeated stress), hard surfaces (cement or tile floors), and specific footwear (rigid-soled work boots).

A simple change of shoes may solve the problem. In more severe cases, custom orthotics may be prescribed to alleviate the pain and prevent overpronation.

Foot pain is never normal. It is always best to consult a reputable and devoted Podiatrist.

​​​Les chirurgies du pied sont prodiguées par le Dr Darrell Bevacqua

New York College of Podiatrique Medicine, (1990)

Résidence post doctorale , Hôpital Vétérans (V.A.M.C.), Brooklyn, NY (1991) 

B.Sc., State University of New York, (1986) 

A.A., New York University, (1982)

Le Dr. Bevacqua est aussi un clinicien en podiatrie à l’Université du Québec à Trois Rivières (UQTR)

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  • Electric shock or burning, tingling or numbness into the toes. 
  • A sharp or stinging pain between the toes when standing or walking.
  • Swelling or edema between the toes. 
  • Tingling ("pins and needles") and numbness.
  • Feeling like there is a "bunched-up sock" or a pebble or marble, or a golf ball under the ball of the foot.
  • The pain appears during walking and is relieved by rest or massage.

Metatarsalgia (pain behind the toes) on the ball of the foot)

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Morton's Neuroma