Also called plantar neuroma, Morton's neuroma may occur in response to irritation, injury or pressure — such as may result from wearing tight-fitting shoes. But it may also occur on its own, for unknown reasons. Morton's neuroma is more common among women than among men.

Typically, there's no outward sign of this condition, such as a lump. Instead, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Burning pain in the ball of your foot that may radiate into your toes. The pain typically worsens with activity or when you wear tight or narrow shoes.
• Numbness in your toes.

You may not experience pain early in the day, but only after you stand or walk in tight shoes or engage in activities that place pressure on your feet.

Causes
Morton's neuroma appears to occur in response to irritation, pressure or injury to one of the digital nerves that lead to your toes. The nerve may react to the irritation, pressure or injury with a growth of thickened nerve tissue (neuroma). The neuroma results in sensations of pain, tingling or numbness that can radiate through your toes.

Factors that appear to contribute to Morton's neuroma include:

• Wearing high-heeled shoes or shoes that are tight or ill-fitting, including those that box in your feet and place pressure on your toes
• High-impact athletic activities, such as jogging, that subject your feet to repetitive trauma.

However, it's not always clear what may have caused the pressure or irritation that lead to Morton's neuroma. In some cases, Morton's neuroma may result from abnormal mechanics of the foot.

Self-care
To help relieve the pain associated with Morton's neuroma and allow the nerve to heal, consider the following self-care steps:

• Change your footwear. Avoid high heels or tight shoes. To make sure that your toes aren't cramped, choose shoes with enough room in the toe box or wear sandals.
• Wear supports or pads. Arch supports or foot pads may help reduce pressure on the nerve.
• Take a break. For a few weeks, reduce activities such as jogging or aerobic exercise or dancing that subject your feet to high impact.

If you experience a burning pain in the ball of your foot that's not improving, despite changing your footwear and modifying activities that may cause stress to your foot, see your doctor. He or she can examine your foot and determine whether Morton's neuroma or some other condition may be causing your pain.

The foot health information provided on this site is for general information purposes only, and cannot replace the expert advice of a qualified professional. We recommend seeking professional advice before embarking on any form of self treatment. Neither the content or any other service provided through this web site is intended to be relied on for medical diagnosis or treatment.