Morton’s Neuroma: Expert non-invasive treatment in Highams Park
Morton’s Neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. It involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes, which can cause a sharp, burning pain or the sensation that you are standing on a pebble or a fold in your sock. For runners and athletes, this compression is often exacerbated by tight-fitting footwear or repetitive high-impact loading.
Common symptoms of Morton's Neuroma.
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Burning Pain: A sharp or radiating pain in the ball of the foot that may spread into the toes.
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Numbness or Tingling: Unusual sensations or a "pins and needles" feeling in the toes.
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The 'Pebble' Sensation: A persistent feeling that something is stuck inside your shoe or under your foot.
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Relief When Barefoot: Pain that typically intensifies with shoes and improves once footwear is removed.
What are the main causes of Morton's Neuroma?
1. Tight or Narrow Footwear
One of the most common causes.
Shoes that squeeze the forefoot can:
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Compress the nerve between the metatarsal bones
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Increase pressure on the nerve during walking
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Cause repeated irritation
High heels are especially problematic because they shift body weight onto the forefoot.
2. Repetitive Forefoot Stress
Activities that put repeated load on the ball of the foot can irritate the nerve.
Common triggers:
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Running
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Court sports (tennis, basketball)
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Long-distance walking
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Jumping activities
3. Foot Mechanics and Structural Issues
Certain foot shapes increase pressure on the nerve.
Examples include:
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Flat feet
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High arches
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Overpronation (foot rolling inward)
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Tight calf muscles affecting gait
4. Toe Deformities
Conditions that alter toe alignment can contribute.
Common ones:
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Bunions
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Hammertoe
5. Thickened Ligaments
The nerve runs under the transverse intermetatarsal ligament. Repeated irritation can cause:
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Ligament thickening
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Reduced space for the nerve
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Chronic compression
6. Previous Foot Injury
Less common but possible causes include:
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Trauma to the forefoot
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Scar tissue after injury
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Repeated micro-injuries
We can speed up your recovery from injury with a combination of Expert non-invasive Myofascial release, Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy within the same sessions.
Depending on whether it is Acute or Chronic, 3 - 6 sessions are generally required for most people to gain complete pain relief and make a full recovery from Morton's Neuroma.
The new way to treat MSK.
How Shockwave Therapy helps with Morton's Neuroma.
1. Reduces nerve irritation and pain signals
Focused shockwaves are high-energy acoustic pulses delivered precisely to the affected area. They can:
Disrupt pain signal transmission from the irritated nerve. Temporarily reduce nerve sensitivity. Modulate pain receptors in the tissue. This is similar to how shockwave therapy is used for conditions like Plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinopathy.
2. Improves blood flow and healing
Shockwaves stimulate:
Microcirculation (better blood supply). Release of growth factors. Tissue remodeling
Although a neuroma is nerve thickening rather than a classic injury, improved tissue health around the nerve may reduce pressure and inflammation.
3. Breaks the chronic pain cycle
Chronic neuroma pain often leads to:
Altered walking mechanics. Persistent inflammation. Nerve hypersensitivity. Shockwave therapy can help “reset” this cycle by decreasing inflammation and improving tissue response.
4. May shrink or soften surrounding fibrotic tissue
Some studies suggest shockwaves can affect fibrotic tissue around the nerve, potentially decreasing compression on the nerve bundle.
Take your recovery to the next level with scientifically proven Shockwave technology. Shockwave Therapy is clinically proven and well approved by top orthopedics and is now used by well established professional sports bodies, such as elite Premier League Football and Rugby Union clubs.