Blog
Morton’s Neuroma: Expert Treatment in London
Written by: Shibin Vinod BPT MSc, HCPC PH124277, CSP 111177. Sport and Exercise Medicine,
Medically Reviewed by: Mr Andrew O’Neill M.Ost GOsC 11018. Registered Osteopath & Shockwave Therapy Specialist
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue that occurs in the foot as a nerve passes underneath a ligament between the third and fourth metatarsals (toes). This condition can also be referred to as intermetatarsal neuroma. The thickening occurs as a result of irritation, compression or trauma to the nerve. This then leads to enlargement of the nerve causing irreversible nerve damage.
Clinical Fact: Morton’s neuroma is seen 8-10 times more frequently in women than men, often linked to footwear choices and foot mechanics.
What are the symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma?
There are no outward signs of morton’s neuroma and symptoms tend to appear gradually at first while doing certain aggravating activities or wearing narrow-toed shoes. These will go away when the external stimulus is removed. Over time the symptoms may progressively worsen and can continue for an extended period even after the aggravator has been removed and the temporary changes to the nerve become permanent.
Some people may feel tingling or numbness in the foot but the most common symptoms is an abnormal feeling that something is ‘stuck’ under the ball of the foot or pain/burning in this area that may radiate from the ball of the foot towards the third and fourth toe. This pain can often be described as sharp, electric or burning.
If you are unsure if your symptoms match this description, you can read our clinical guide on signs your foot pain is getting worse.
What are the common causes of Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is caused by irritation, pressure or injury to the nerve between the 3rd and 4th toe. This can be linked to:
- Foot problems: Such as flat or high foot arches, bunions and hammer toes. This affects the biomechanics of your foot and can often predispose you to issues in the lower limb.
- Footwear: Wearing tight, pointy or high-heeled shoes. These push your toes into a narrow toe box and can cause increased pressure between the toes.
- High-impact activities: Sports such as running or athletics, or activities with tight fitting shoes like skiing or rock climbing.
- Direct Injury: Trauma to the area.
How is Morton’s Neuroma diagnosed?
To diagnose Morton’s neuroma, a thorough case history will be taken of your symptoms and a physical examination of your foot will be carried out. The examiner will attempt to reproduce your symptoms by manipulating the foot and putting pressure between the metatarsals.
Occasionally, some imaging may be necessary to rule out joint inflammation, arthritis or stress fracture. These are often seen on X-Ray. If these are ruled out, an ultrasound is consequently used to help rule in a neuroma as they are often visible on this type of imaging.
An early diagnosis is the most effective way of lessening the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery when permanent damage has occured to the nerve.
Clinical Note: An early diagnosis is the most effective way of lessening the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery.
What are the treatment options for Morton’s Neuroma?
It is recommended to try conservative treatments initially:
- Wear well fitting shoes with adequate space around the toe box with a soft sole and a low heel.
- Try wearing foot pads or insoles that help reduce the pressure on the nerve.
- Activity modification – reduce high impact activities for a few weeks to reduce repetitive stress.
- Applying ice for a maximum of 10 minutes to help reduce the inflammation.
- NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Weight management – reducing pressure going through your feet.
Other non-invasive treatments can include:
- Radiofrequency ablation – the use of heat to treat the nerve.
- Shockwave Therapy – In more persistent cases, we may recommend Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT). Both radial and focused shockwave are non-invasive treatments that stimulate healing by increasing blood flow and promoting tissue repair. The precision of Focused Shockwave (FSWT) in particular allows us to target the affected nerve enlargement directly for faster results.
- Injections – local corticosteroid injections can help reduce swelling.
If treatments fail, surgical intervention may be required:
- Decompression surgery- this type of surgery works by reducing the impact of the compression of nearby structures such as the ligament binding the bones around the nerve. This then allows the nerve to heal once the mechanica pressure of the nerve is removed and symptoms should subside.
- Removal of the nerve (Neurectomy) – if all other treatments fail, although there is a 20-30% chance of it re-growing (stump neuroma). This doesn’t treat the underlying issue that caused morton’s neuroma to occur in the first place so is only performed once the swelling is too seere
How long does Morton’s Neuroma last?
Can Morton’s Neuroma be prevented?
Some people can be prone to developing this condition due to characteristics of their feet. It is recommended that if you have flat/high arches, bunions or hammer toes that you have these assessed by a registered podiatrist. This will enable you to receive custom orthotics to reduce the irritation of the nerve between your toes and also to maintain and support the fine structures within the foot.
What are the best exercises for Morton’s Neuroma?
The main goal with the following exercises is to restore the normal function of your foot by restoring flexibility and promoting overall strength and balance and increasing circulation to the area in order to expedite your own healing capabilities. This all leads to better foot biomechanics which should reduce the strain on the injured area.
Pay attention to your symptoms and stop if they get worse if you develop burning pain throughout.
- Sit on a chair with foot affected by Morton's Neuroma resting flat on a towel on the edge closest to you
- Slowly bunch up the towel in your direction by curling your toes - attempting to scrunch the front edge of the towel closer to your foot
- Ensure you keep your heel firmly on the ground
- Replace the towel and repeat
- Put the leg with the affected foot behind the other with the heel on the floor and toes pointing directly forwards. Approx 2 ft away from the wall.
- Place both hands on the wall
- Extend your knee of the behind legs while pushing your hips forward (without bending the knee) until you feel a stretch in your back calf.
- Hold this for 30 seconds
- Using a lacrosse ball or textured massage ball
- Sit in a chair and place the ball under the ball of the affected foot.
- Roll the ball underneath for 10-20 repetitions anticlockwise then repeat clockwise.
- Put as much pressure that you can tolerate without tensing up and increasing the pain.
- Continue this for 1-5 minutes, stop when the foot feels relaxed and the pain has decreased.
- To increase the effectiveness, you can do this with a frozen water bottle or place the balls in the freezer prior for a cooling sensation also.
- Wrap a resistance band around your big toe and hold the opposite ends with both hands
- Let the hand pull the big toe up
- Push the big toe back down against the resistance
- Keep the movement slow and controlled in both directions and within your relative comfort range.
- Wrap a resistance band around the bottom of your forefoot and toes and hold the opposite ends with both hands
- Pull with your arms so that you gently pull your forefoot and toes towards your shin
- You should feel a small pull along the bottom of your foot
See our Plantar Fascia exercise guide for more.
Do I need to go to the GP or visit my local hospital?
It is recommended to seek advice from a professional, such as those registered with the HCPC, GCC or GOsC, if:
- Your pain hasn’t improved with self-treatment for 2 weeks.
- You have any severe tingling or numbness in your foot.
- The pain is severe and is stopping you doing your normal activities.
- You have diabetes.
- The pain is worsening/not getting better.
How we can help at our clinics
At our London clinics, we treat Morton’s Neuroma with a combination of hands-on therapies and modern technology. Our Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists assess your biomechanics, improve mobility, and prescribe targeted exercises to reduce strain on the nerve.
For more persistent symptoms, we also offer Shockwave Therapy – both radial and focused. These advanced, non-invasive treatments help to stimulate blood flow, reduce irritation and support your body’s natural healing response. Focused shockwave in particular allows us to precisely target the affected tissue for faster, longer-lasting results.
If you’re struggling with foot pain or suspect Morton’s Neuroma, booking an appointment early can make a huge difference to recovery and help you avoid more invasive treatments later on.
How is Morton's Neuroma treated at our clinic?
Conservative measures such as wearing well-fitting shoes, using foot pads, or reducing high-impact activity are often a good place to start. But when symptoms linger, working with a healthcare professional can make a real difference.
Our Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physiotherapists focus on:
- Assessing foot and ankle biomechanics to reduce pressure on the nerve.
- Improving mobility and function through hands-on treatment.
- Prescribing exercises to strengthen and support the small stabilising muscles of the foot.
- Addressing related issues in the ankle, knee, hip and lower back that may contribute to nerve irritation.
In more persistent cases, we may recommend Shockwave Therapy. Both radial and focused shockwave are non-invasive treatments that stimulate healing by increasing blood flow and promoting tissue repair. Focused shockwave in particular can target the affected area with precision, helping to reduce nerve irritation and speed recovery.
“At Bodytonic Clinic, we don’t just treat the symptoms of Morton’s Neuroma; we address the biomechanical ‘why’. By utilising Focused Shockwave Therapy, we provide a non-invasive alternative to surgery that targets the nerve enlargement at its source.” – Mr Andrew O’Neill, M.Ost GOsC 11018
Further Reading & Clinical Resources
Related Articles from Bodytonic Clinic
- Signs Your Foot Pain or Plantar Fasciitis is Getting Worse – Learn how to identify when conservative management needs professional intervention.
- A Guide to the Best Plantar Fasciitis Exercises – Complementary stretches that support overall forefoot health.
- What are the Different Types of Gait? – Understanding how your walking pattern affects nerve compression in the toes.
- Why Your Ankle Keeps Clicking – Exploring the relationship between ankle mobility and foot pressure.
External Medical Resources
- NHS Guide to Morton’s Neuroma – Official UK health service overview for patients.
- Royal College of Podiatry – Professional body for foot health standards in the UK.
- The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – Verify the registration of our Senior Physiotherapists.
- General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) – Verify our Registered Osteopaths who medically review our clinical content.
- General Chiropractic Council (GCC) – Verify the registration of our expert Chiropractors.
Bupa / Axa Insurance Accepted for Radial Shockwave*
