Morton’s neuroma is a painful nerve condition that most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes. The condition occurs when the nerve tissue becomes irritated and thickened, often due to repetitive pressure, footwear compression, or mechanical stress across the forefoot.
Patients frequently describe the sensation as burning pain, tingling, numbness, or the feeling of standing on a pebble inside the shoe. Left untreated, the irritation can worsen over time and begin to affect walking, exercise, and daily mobility.
At New Orleans Podiatry, our approach to Morton’s neuroma follows a structured, stepwise treatment model. Treatment typically begins with conservative care and progresses to advanced therapies only when necessary.
Many cases of Morton’s neuroma improve when pressure on the irritated nerve is reduced.
Footwear modification is often the first step. Shoes with a wider toe box and adequate forefoot support help reduce compression between the metatarsal bones and decrease irritation around the nerve. Narrow shoes and high heels often worsen symptoms because they place additional pressure on the forefoot.
Custom orthotics may also be recommended to redistribute pressure across the ball of the foot and improve overall foot alignment. By reducing repetitive stress across the forefoot, orthotics can significantly decrease irritation of the affected nerve.
If symptoms persist despite conservative care, more advanced treatment options may be considered.
Shockwave therapy is one non-surgical option that may help patients with chronic neuroma pain. This technology uses acoustic energy to stimulate circulation and reduce chronic inflammation around the nerve. At New Orleans Podiatry, both focused and radial shockwave technologies are available, allowing treatment to be tailored to the depth and severity of the condition.
In certain cases, ultrasound-guided injections may also be used to reduce inflammation around the nerve. Imaging guidance allows the medication to be delivered precisely to the affected area, improving accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
For patients whose symptoms are related to nerve entrapment or surrounding tissue restriction, ultrasound-guided hydrodissection may be recommended.
This minimally invasive procedure uses a small amount of fluid to gently separate tissues surrounding the irritated nerve. By releasing pressure and improving mobility of the nerve, hydrodissection can provide meaningful relief for patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. In some cases, regenerative biologic solutions may be incorporated to support the body’s natural healing response.
Surgery may be considered when persistent neuroma pain does not respond to conservative or advanced non-surgical treatments. The goal of surgery is to relieve pressure on the affected nerve and restore comfortable function of the forefoot.
One surgical approach involves decompression of the nerve by releasing surrounding structures that are contributing to compression. In other cases, removal of the affected nerve segment may be recommended when chronic thickening and inflammation have become severe.
Surgical treatment is carefully considered and recommended only when appropriate. Many patients experience significant and lasting relief when surgery is performed for the right indications.
Pain in the ball of the foot that feels like burning, tingling, numbness, or the sensation of standing on a pebble inside the shoe may indicate Morton’s neuroma. Early evaluation allows many patients to address the condition before chronic nerve irritation develops.
Dr. Edward Lang has more than 30 years of experience diagnosing and treating complex nerve conditions of the foot using both conservative and advanced treatment options.
Dr. Edward Lang is a board-certified foot surgeon with more than three decades of experience treating foot and ankle conditions. His approach combines evidence-based medicine with advanced treatment technologies designed to relieve pain and restore long-term foot health.
Patients throughout New Orleans trust New Orleans Podiatry for comprehensive care ranging from conservative treatment to advanced therapies. Text or call to schedule an evaluation.
Text: (504) 897-3627 | 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Call: (504) 897-3627| 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2626 Jena Street | New Orleans, Louisiana 70115
Call Us: (504) 897-3627
Text Us: (504) 897-3627
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