Condition guide
Morton’s neuroma is a painful, thickened nerve between the long bones of the forefoot, usually between the third and fourth toes. It causes burning, a pebble-like feeling under the ball of the foot, or tingling and numbness in the toes. Here are the common causes and how we treat each at our Shellharbour Village and Shellharbour City clinics.
What to know
Squeezing the forefoot compresses the nerve, and high heels push more weight onto it. Treatment: shoes with a wider toe box and a lower heel for most of the day, and looser lacing across the forefoot.
Some foot types and walking patterns concentrate pressure where the nerve runs. Treatment: a metatarsal pad behind the painful area, or custom orthotics made from a 3D foot scan when they suit your needs.
Running, court sports and long days on hard floors can aggravate the nerve. Treatment: adjusting training and workload while the nerve settles.
When symptoms continue despite these changes, we discuss other options: a referral through your GP, or a surgical opinion with Dr Abdel Kak, the specialist podiatric surgeon who consults at our City clinic one Thursday a month.
Watch and learn
Straight answers
Burning or tingling into two neighbouring toes that eases with your shoes off is typical. Other ball-of-foot pain, such as metatarsalgia, feels more like a bruise. We assess it and refer for an ultrasound if needed.
Usually, with changes. Lower-impact exercise and roomier shoes often keep you active.
It often settles when the pressure is reduced, but it can return if the same shoes and loads continue.
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19/23 Addison Street, Shellharbour Village
4-5/6 Benson Avenue, Shellharbour City