Feels Like a Pebble in Your Shoe? It Could Be Morton’s Neuroma

If you’ve ever taken a step and felt like a tiny rock was trapped under your foot, you’re not imagining it. That odd, uncomfortable sensation is a common sign of Morton’s neuroma — a painful condition of the nerves in the ball of your foot that affects around 4% of the population.

Morton’s neuroma happens when a nerve between the toes becomes irritated and thickened. This inflammation usually develops between the third and fourth toes, creating pain that often flares with walking, standing, or wearing certain shoes.

It’s not a tumor or cancerous growth, but the enlarged nerve can cause burning, stabbing pain that makes walking and weight-bearing miserable.

Anyone can develop Morton’s neuroma, but it tends to show up more often in people who spend long hours on their feet, wear tight or narrow shoes, or participate in high-impact sports.

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, we help patients find relief from this stubborn problem every day.

Common Morton’s neuroma symptoms to watch for

Morton’s neuroma symptoms often creep in gradually. You may notice:

• Burning and/or tingling sensations in the ball of the foot (neuropathy)
• Feeling like your sock is bunched up or there’s something stuck in your shoe
• Sharp pain that spreads into the toes
• Numbness in the area when standing or walking
• Symptoms improving when you remove your shoe or massage your foot

Over time, the nerve irritation can worsen. When this happens, what started as occasional discomfort can become constant pain without proper care.

Causes of Morton’s neuroma

Several everyday habits and foot mechanics can trigger Morton’s neuroma. Some of the most common causes include:

Tight footwear

Narrow, high-heeled, or pointed shoes squeeze the toes and put pressure on the nerves.

Repetitive stress

Running, dancing, and other impact-heavy activities can strain the ball of the foot.

Foot structure

Flat feet, high arches, bunions, or hammertoes can change the weight distribution in your feet, irritating the nerve.

Occupational strain

Jobs that require long periods of standing can overload the forefoot.

You don’t have to be an athlete or wear heels daily to develop Morton’s neuroma. Even casual shoes that don’t fit very well can lead to nerve irritation.

Diagnosing Morton’s neuroma

At Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist, our experienced podiatrists, Christopher Vittori, DPM, and Ameet Thakrar, DPM, begin their diagnosis by listening to your symptoms.

Many patients describe the pebble-under-the-foot feeling, which is a classic clue. We also examine your foot, check for tender spots, and evaluate how you walk. In some cases, imaging such as ultrasound or X-rays helps rule out other conditions, such as stress fractures or arthritis.

The aim is to understand exactly what’s causing your pain so we can build a treatment plan that gives you lasting relief.

Treatment options that help with Morton’s neuroma

Treatment for Morton’s neuroma depends on how severe your symptoms are, but most patients improve with nonsurgical care. We often recommend:

Footwear changes

Supportive shoes with a roomy toe box can ease pressure on the nerve.

Custom orthotics

We design orthotic inserts to match your feet, so they support your arch and reduce strain on the affected area.

Padding and taping

Padding and taping help redistribute weight across the forefoot.

Activity modifications

Temporary changes in exercise can reduce irritation while the nerve settles.

Medications

Anti-inflammatory drugs help calm pain and swelling.

If Morton’s neuroma symptoms don’t improve with conservative care, we can inject the nerve under ultrasound guidance. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation, while alcohol damages the nerve, preventing it from transmitting pain signals to your brain.

Another promising treatment for Morton’s neuroma is multiwave locked system (MLS) therapy. This involves using laser energy to painlessly treat the affected nerve.  

If pain persists despite treatment, surgical options are available to relieve pressure on the nerve or, in some cases, to remove the enlarged portion itself. Most people recover well and return to normal activities with significantly less discomfort.

When to see a foot specialist

You shouldn’t have to push through foot pain or feel like something is stuck under your foot. In fact, Morton’s neuroma doesn’t go away on its own, so early treatment prevents the nerve from becoming more irritated over time.

If the pebble sensation keeps returning, your toes feel numb, or walking is becoming more uncomfortable, arrange an evaluation. With expert diagnosis and personalized treatment, we help you stay active without that burning, annoying pain slowing you down.

Call Vittori Foot & Ankle Specialist to request a consultation where we can diagnose and treat your Morton’s neuroma. Alternatively, use the online form to contact us.