Morton's Neuroma & Ball of Foot Pain Treatment

Burning, tingling or pain in the ball of your foot?

Burning pain, tingling or numbness in the ball of your foot can make every step uncomfortable and affect everything from walking and exercise to simply wearing your favourite shoes.

Our experienced podiatrists provide expert assessment to identify the cause of your symptoms and create a personalised treatment plan to relieve pain, restore comfort and keep you moving with confidence.

Book your Biomechanical Assessment today.

How do I know if I have Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's Neuroma commonly affects the ball of the foot and the toes.

Symptoms may include:

• Burning pain in the ball of the foot

• Sharp or shooting pain into the toes

• Tingling or numbness

• Pain between the toes

• A feeling of walking on a pebble

• A sensation of walking on a folded sock

• Pain when wearing tighter shoes

• Relief after removing your shoes or massaging your foot

Many people find themselves stopping to remove their shoes because of the discomfort.

What is Morton's Neuroma?

Despite its name, Morton's Neuroma is not a tumour.

It is a thickening of the tissue surrounding one of the small nerves in the forefoot.

Repeated irritation and compression of the nerve can cause it to become enlarged and increasingly painful.

The condition most commonly develops between the third and fourth toes, although other nerves within the forefoot can occasionally be affected.

What causes Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's Neuroma rarely develops because of one single cause.

Several factors often increase pressure around the nerve over time, including:

• Foot biomechanics

• Foot structure

• Tight or narrow footwear

• High heels

• Prolonged standing or walking

• Running and sporting activities

Often, several contributing factors are involved rather than one single issue.

How we treat Morton's Neuroma

Treatment is based on the severity of your symptoms, your lifestyle and the factors contributing to nerve irritation.

Following a comprehensive assessment, we'll consider:

• Your symptoms

• Foot posture

• Walking pattern

• Footwear

• Activity levels

• Your treatment goals

Your personalised treatment plan may include:

• Footwear advice

• Custom Foot Orthotics

• Padding and pressure offloading

• Activity modification

• Steroid injection where clinically appropriate

• Referral for specialist opinion if required

Biomechanical Assessment

Understanding why excessive pressure is developing through the forefoot is often one of the most important parts of treatment.

Your assessment may include:

• Clinical examination

• Foot posture assessment

• Biomechanical assessment

• OptoGait gait analysis

• Footwear review

• Activity assessment

Where appropriate, diagnostic imaging may also be recommended to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other causes of forefoot pain.

Footwear advice

One of the simplest and often most effective ways to reduce symptoms is to reduce pressure around the affected nerve.

Shoes with a wider toe box and lower heel can often significantly improve comfort.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Where foot mechanics are contributing to excessive pressure through the forefoot, custom foot orthotics may help redistribute load and reduce irritation around the affected nerve.

Recommendations are always tailored to your foot posture, biomechanics and lifestyle.

Padding and offloading

Targeted padding techniques may help reduce pressure beneath the painful area and improve comfort during walking and everyday activities.

Steroid injection

For carefully selected patients, a corticosteroid injection may be recommended where inflammation around the nerve is contributing to persistent symptoms.

The aim is to:

• Reduce inflammation

• Relieve pain

• Improve comfort during walking

• Allow you to return to everyday activities more comfortably

Injection therapy is always considered alongside footwear advice and biomechanical treatment rather than as a standalone solution.

Pricing

Every treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment so we can understand why your symptoms have developed and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment	Price
New Patient Biomechanical Assessment	£180
Principal Podiatrist Biomechanical Assessment	£225

If you're unsure which appointment is most suitable, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help.

Book your appointment

Burning, tingling or shooting pain in the ball of your foot shouldn't become part of everyday life.

Whether your symptoms have recently started or have been affecting you for some time, we're here to help.

Book your Biomechanical Assessment today and take the first step towards moving with comfort, confidence and ease.

Why Patients Choose Callen Olive

Your feet deserve more than treatment.

At Callen Olive, we believe exceptional podiatry is about far more than relieving pain.

It's about understanding how your feet affect your comfort, confidence and the way you move through life.

Every person who walks through our doors has different goals, which is why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and ambitions.

Because no two people — or feet — are the same.

Expert Care. Personally Delivered.

We combine specialist clinical expertise, advanced technology and genuinely personalised care to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

From your first appointment, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms, the treatment options available and how we'll support you every step of the way.

Why Patients Choose Callen Olive

• Specialist podiatry team
• Personalised treatment plans
• Advanced technology
• Evidence-based care
• Award-winning patient experience
• Trusted by thousands of patients every year

More Than A Podiatry Appointment

Exceptional care isn't just about clinical expertise.

It's about feeling listened to, understood and supported from the moment you arrive until long after your treatment has finished.

Because that's what great care should feel like.

We Care.

It's more than our promise.

It's how we listen, how we explain, how we treat and how we support every patient who places their trust in us.

Because helping you move with comfort, confidence and ease is why Callen Olive exists.

Healthy Feet. Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Morton's Neuroma?

Morton's Neuroma is a thickening of tissue around one of the nerves in the forefoot, most commonly between the third and fourth toes.

What does Morton's Neuroma feel like?

Many people describe it as walking on a pebble or a folded sock. Burning pain, tingling and numbness are also common.

Can Morton's Neuroma go away on its own?

Symptoms may settle temporarily, but the underlying irritation often remains. Early assessment can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.

Can footwear make Morton's Neuroma worse?

Yes. Tight, narrow shoes and high heels can increase pressure around the nerve and make symptoms worse.

Will I need surgery?

Most people improve with conservative treatment and do not require surgery. Surgery is usually only considered when symptoms persist despite appropriate non-surgical management.

Can orthotics help Morton's Neuroma?

For many people, custom foot orthotics help redistribute pressure through the forefoot and reduce irritation around the affected nerve.

Further information

Morton's Neuroma or Metatarsalgia?

These two conditions are commonly confused because both cause pain in the ball of the foot.

The difference is that:

• Morton's Neuroma involves irritation of a nerve.

• Metatarsalgia is caused by increased pressure beneath the forefoot.

Although the symptoms can feel very similar, treatment recommendations may differ, making an accurate diagnosis important.

Other causes of ball of foot pain

Several conditions can produce similar symptoms, including:

• Metatarsalgia

• Plantar Plate Injury

• Stress Fractures

• Arthritis

• Capsulitis

• Freiberg's Disease

Professional assessment helps establish the correct diagnosis before treatment begins.

Why early assessment matters

Many people tolerate symptoms for months before seeking advice.

Early assessment may help:

• Reduce nerve irritation

• Improve comfort

• Maintain activity levels

• Reduce symptom progression

• Improve walking confidence

• Support long-term foot health

Can I stay active?

In many cases, yes.

Simple changes to footwear, activity levels and foot support often allow people to continue walking, exercising and enjoying everyday activities whilst reducing pressure on the affected nerve.

Our aim is to keep you moving comfortably rather than asking you to stop doing the things you enjoy.

Related conditions

• Metatarsalgia

• Plantar Plate Injury

• Stress Fractures

• Arthritis

• Capsulitis

Related treatments

• Biomechanical Assessment

• OptoGait Gait Analysis

• Custom Foot Orthotics

• Steroid Injection