“I have plantar fasciitis and Doctor was very patient, providing exercises and answers. I'm seeing improvement for the first time in months.”Google · Sean Murray · Jun 2023
“He finally freed me from my plantar fasciitis! Orthotics he casted are exceptional.”Google · Gleb Kartsev · Nov 2021
“Best orthotics ever! Before — horrible pain from plantar fasciitis heel spurs. Best arch support ever!”Google · Weilian Tang · Nov 2021
“Dr Patish and his staff are great! Ingrown nail and plantar fasciitis — he helped immensely with both!”Google · Polly Trump · Mar 2023
“Doctor took very good care of my plantar fasciitis problem — quick and effective.”Google · Judy Wahl Talley · Apr 2019
“Dr. Patish's orthotics have changed my life! I can walk for hours with no pain.”Google · Sarah Tang · Mar 2022
“For fifteen years I saw countless doctors. Dr. Patish was the only one that got it right.”Google · A. Holston · Jan 2023
“I wish I could give Dr. Patish 10 stars!!! He has literally been a life changer.”Yelp · Troy E. · Aug 2019
“I have plantar fasciitis and Doctor was very patient, providing exercises and answers. I'm seeing improvement for the first time in months.”Google · Sean Murray · Jun 2023
“He finally freed me from my plantar fasciitis! Orthotics he casted are exceptional.”Google · Gleb Kartsev · Nov 2021
“Best orthotics ever! Before — horrible pain from plantar fasciitis heel spurs. Best arch support ever!”Google · Weilian Tang · Nov 2021
“Dr Patish and his staff are great! Ingrown nail and plantar fasciitis — he helped immensely with both!”Google · Polly Trump · Mar 2023
“Doctor took very good care of my plantar fasciitis problem — quick and effective.”Google · Judy Wahl Talley · Apr 2019
“Dr. Patish's orthotics have changed my life! I can walk for hours with no pain.”Google · Sarah Tang · Mar 2022
“For fifteen years I saw countless doctors. Dr. Patish was the only one that got it right.”Google · A. Holston · Jan 2023
“I wish I could give Dr. Patish 10 stars!!! He has literally been a life changer.”Yelp · Troy E. · Aug 2019
Morton's Neuroma: That Strange Pebble Feeling Between Your Toes
Feel like you're walking on a pebble? Morton's neuroma is a thickened nerve that causes burning, tingling, and numbness. Learn your treatment options.
Imagine standing up and feeling like there's a pebble stuck inside the ball of your foot — except there's nothing there. That phantom lump, often accompanied by burning, tingling, or numbness radiating into two adjacent toes, is the hallmark of Morton's neuroma.
A Morton's neuroma isn't actually a tumor. It's a thickening of the tissue surrounding a digital nerve between the metatarsal bones, most commonly in the third interspace — between the third and fourth toes counting from the big toe side. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, this condition affects women up to ten times more frequently than men, largely due to footwear choices.
What Causes a Morton's Neuroma?
Repetitive compression of the nerve is the primary driver. Tight shoes — especially narrow dress shoes and high heels — squeeze the metatarsal heads together, pinching the nerve. Over time, scar tissue builds around the nerve, creating a cycle of compression and irritation.
Other factors include bunions and hammertoes that crowd the forefoot, high-impact activities, prolonged standing, and biomechanical issues like flat feet and overpronation.
Symptoms to Watch For
Morton's neuroma typically starts as intermittent discomfort — a vague feeling of "something" in the ball of the foot, occasional tingling, and relief when you remove your shoes. As the neuroma enlarges, symptoms escalate to sharp shooting pain, persistent numbness, and a sensation that your sock is bunched up under the ball of your foot.
A telltale sign: the pain gets worse in shoes and better when barefoot or in wide, flat shoes.
How We Diagnose and Treat Neuromas
Treatment is graduated based on severity:
- Footwear changes and metatarsal pads reduce nerve compression immediately.
- Custom orthotics address the biomechanical factors that contributed to the neuroma. Learn about custom orthotics.
- Shockwave therapy reduces inflammation and can shrink thickened tissue without injections. Learn about shockwave therapy.
- Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation for moderate neuromas.
- Minimally invasive decompression is reserved for resistant cases. Learn about minimally invasive surgery.
Early intervention is key. When caught early, most neuromas respond well to conservative treatment — orthotics, footwear changes, and shockwave therapy.
The Bottom Line
That pebble feeling isn't something you need to live with. Morton's neuroma is well-understood with effective treatments at every stage. Explore our podiatric services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Morton's neuroma feel like?
Most patients describe a sensation like walking on a pebble or bunched-up sock in the ball of the foot, with burning, tingling, or numbness radiating into the third and fourth toes. Symptoms worsen in shoes and improve barefoot.
Can Morton's neuroma go away without surgery?
Yes. Most neuromas respond well to conservative treatment including wider shoes, metatarsal pads, custom orthotics, and shockwave therapy. Surgery is reserved for cases that don't improve after months of conservative care.
What shoes should I avoid with Morton's neuroma?
Avoid narrow-toed shoes, high heels, and thin-soled shoes. Look for shoes with a wide toe box, low heel, and adequate forefoot cushioning.
Ready to Feel Better?
Most patients are seen within 24–48 hours. Schedule your visit today.
